Thomas Birthday Cake

Okay so time to play cake catch up lol. I did a Thomas Birthday cake for a little boys first birthday. It was my first time using this cake pan and I think it turned out awesome. The family thought it was great too other than they wanted it a bit bigger to feed more. There was also a smash cake but I forgot to get a picture of it.

Not to bad for my first Thomas cake. I am getting much more confident which means my icing cakes are looking a lot better :)

Owen's third Birthday

Well it has been a long time since I have written, things have been very busy between the dog rescue, my niece and nephew, the dogs I have, household stuff, surgery and of course personal life.

Owen had his third birthday yesterday, he is growing like a weed. I haven't seen him in person since the spring and that was my own doing not the adoptive parents. I struggled after the miscarriages with everything and just tried to stay busy. I got pictures in the mail and updated emails every month like clock work from the adoptive parents they are awesome.

Owen's birthday is never an easy time for me. He picked Shaun the sheep as the theme for his party lol its his favourite thing right now and can't get enough of the show. He had a party with all his family there as well as his best friend from daycare! He is in swimming lessons and loving it! Owen can already float, and dive underwater and pick things up from the bottom of the pool :). As always he excels at everything he does and can't wait to learn the next thing.

I am planning on seeing him during the holiday season and of course taking him all his gifts for his birthday and Christmas. There is not a moment that I do not think about him. This year has been hard and I am hoping the next one will be better and I will be able to see him more. Its not hard seeing him happy, well loved and taken care, what makes it hard is thought after miscarrying twice "is this the only child I will have".

I will post a birthday picture soon!!

My first attempt at a shaped fruit bowl

My best friend is having a baby boy and I helped host her baby shower as well as I made all the food.
I found a picture online for a baby buggy fruit basket and new I just had to try it!

It turned out okay, let me tell you it messy, but I found it easy other than I was not quite strong enough to cut the watermelon straight. It was so much fun to do and everyone loved it!!

I got the idea and instructions from http://www.tasteofhome.com/Recipes/Watermelon-Baby-Carriage

Casi Foster dog #15

Casi is a now 11 week old Akita/Sheapard puppy. She is a sweet girl with is full of love! We are working on house training and recall, as well as basic commands and learning how to use her mouth properly.  She weighs 19LBS and is super smart. She wakes up once in the night to go out and go to the bathroom. She is crate trained at night and when I am not home. She does okay in the crate. Her and her brother Bossco are learning to go into their crate with treats. They are crated together.

Casi was wavy hair on her ears. She is mostly black with white on her paws! She is learning how to give kisses :). She plays well with the big dogs and loves rawhide and shoes lol.She has his first set of shots and will be going for his booster soon. Casi is starting to find his wonderful voice and will bark at the other dogs to play. 

Bossoc Foster Dog #14

Bossco is a now 10 week old Akita/Sheapard puppy. He is a sweet boy with is full of love! We are working on house training and recall, as well as basic commands. He weighs 15LBS and is super smart. My mom has fallen in love with and wants to adopt him. We are doing slow introductions with her personal dogs and working on some issues her personal dog has. Hopefully once all is done he will be a great fir for her home. He wakes up twice in the night to go out and go to the bathroom. He is crate trained at night and when I am not home. He hates being in the dark so a light has to be left on. He has some crate anxiety and freaks out when put in it and I am not in the room. He is being crated with his sister at this point!

Bossco has the bear look of the Akita. He is mostly black with Brown front feet! He is my cuddle bear. He plays well with the big dogs and loves rawhide. He has his first set of shots and will be going for his booster next week. Bossco is starting to find his wonderful voice and he ears are slowly starting to become straight up!

Baby Hats for Sarnia Hospital

I just finished 100 crocheted baby hats for the Sarnia Maternity ward. I decided to do this when I had my son because his head was very large they had a heck of a time trying to find a hat that would fit his head. So I decided that I needed to do something about that. Within the 100 hats I have crocheted there are Preemie, normal sized and then large ones lol that would have fit my sons head. Our hospital is always in need of things for new moms so I figured this would help. When I was in the hospital I had bought new born diapers (how silly was that lol) they were way too small for him so I donated them along with the formula I had brought with me. The nurse when came and picked them up from my room was so grateful she had tears in her eyes. She said she would make sure the items got to someone who needed them. I truly hope that those items helped someone else.

I got to about 90 hats and I ran out of scrap yarn so I posted on a facebook site called mommy market and asked if anyone has scrap yarn or odd balls that I could buy for these baby hats. Two women stepped forward and "donated" two large bags of odd yarn. I am so grateful to these women for helping me reach my goal. I plan to do 100 baby hats for the London hospital as well. Each year I will give each hospital 100 hats to keep their supply up!

Hats for the hospital

Annie Foster Dog Number 13

I know I said I would never foster another lab after Dexter lol but when a dog is in need I can not close my doors and my heart to them.
This is Annie she is from the Wallaceburg Shelter Annie was found wandering through the Wallaceburg cemetery alone, lost and scare. She is between 1-2 years old. She is a sweet pea. I picked Annie up from the Shelter on July 24, 2012. They thought she might be pregnant and that is no place for a mom or babies to be. I offered to foster her until all the pups and herself was adopted. When I took her to my vet he did an ultra sound. She is not pregnant which is wonderful news! She is what is called sudo pregnant her hormones are telling her that she is. When I picked her up from the shelter it took about 15 mins for my sister and I to get her into the car she was so scared. I introduced her to my personal dogs she is not a fan of my Akita Husky, but he is hyper and just wants to play all the time lol. It took me and my roommate and his 8 year old son 25 mins into get her to come into the house she was so scared. She appears to be house trained, but she needs work on her manners lol which will come with time. She's quite so far.
July 25, 2012 I left the crate set up for her last night with blankets in it. I did not force her to go in when I went to bed I just left it open. She started out on the floor next to me and at 1am she was sleeping in the crate on her own. This morning she is very playful her and Jake are best friends and playing. The crate is her safe spot so I will leave it set up for her. She did not mess in the house once last night!
July 28, 2012 Annie is doing well. She is not eating like she is starving anymore. She finally is playing with my Akita/Husky lol. She hides all the bones in her crate and then buries them so the other dogs can't get them. She loves chewing raw hides and meaty bones; however, she seems to get snarly with my Akita/husky when he goes near her if she has one, but allows the rotti/st.Bearnard to just take it and walk away. She is learning her place in the "pack" and is starting to sit for pets instead of jumping up and down all over you. She knows Sit now and we are working on laying down. She has a bit of separation anxiety, I tired to crate her when I left for an hour and when I came home the crate was on the other side of the room and the door all bent open. When left out of the crate she gets into things she shouldn't but it will take time to work on that.

Annie is looking for a loving patient forever home and I truly hope she finds her right match, until then we are going to work on manners and commands. She is smart and a fast learner.

Jagger Foster Dog # 12

Jagger is a 1-2 year old male Akita/Chow/mix. He is nudered. Jagger was found on the side of Courtright Line between Alvingston and Glenco about 4 weeks ago. A family took him in and tried to find his family for 3 weeks. The women ended up losing her job and was unable to keep him so she contacted Michelle at MOTS to see if she had room for him. I went and picked him up near Glenco, he could do to add a few pounds, but he was a happy lovey boy. He did awesome in the car on the way home. I introduced him to my dogs and they got along okay. He was not a fan of Jake, but they got along. Jagger, like most strays/abused animals had resource guarding with food, treats, and even people. He ate like he was starving. He is a fast learner and house trained for the most part. He has really bad separation anxiety. Saturday morning when I woke up there was little white worms coming out of him bum poor dude. I got him into my vet right away and got him treated. He did very well at the vets office lol other than he wouldn't walk in the door because there was a cat sitting there lol. Then he got attacked by another cat there because the cat didn't want his bum sniffed lol. He is a good walker and is higher energy so needs at least one daily walk. He knows sit and shake a paw. He is very pack orientated. Monday morning Michelle decided that she wanted to take Jagger to her house to continue his fostering, so I will post once he has been adopted, but he is no longer my foster baby.

Abandoned dog: Owners found

Photo was taken four hours after his rescue.

I do not like this one bit, and neither would you if you read his story and met him. Chevy is his name, I got three different stories from the owners. I got accused of stealing their dog; which I didn't do, I rescued a dog that was abandoned on the side of the road and attempted to find the owners. I am disappointed to say that because the way our laws state I have to take the dog to the "rightful" owners because he was claimed within the 72 hour window. All I can do is submit an abuse report with the OSPCA and Sarnia Police. I can encourage them to put a collar on him, and take him to the vet. So this afternoon after they prove to me he is their dog Chevy will be heading home. I got a story from the grandmother that called me, then a story from the 15 year old son who called me and two different stories from the mother who called me. This dog deserves a loving caring home and proper vetting care. Their main concern was how much it was going to cost them to get their dog back, no loving owner puts how much it costs to bring their lost pet home first, they didn't even ask how he was or if he was okay. I know in the rescue world we see things on a daily basis that we can not control and we can only save so many, but it breaks my heart to know that he was safe and now has to be taken back to his owners.

Abandoned dog.

Today there was a posting on facebook that a women saw a person opening their car door, letting a small white dog out of the car and driving away. So me being the way I am got into my car and drove the 20 min drive to Petrolia to find this little guy. Took me almost two hours but I found him. He had gone back to his home. He had no collar, was hot, there was no food, no water, no fenced in yard, and no shelter from the heat. He was just in the drive way scared and hot. I brought him into my car and took him home. I talked to the neighbors and left my name and number. From what the neighbor had said to me was that the dog got out this morning the owner called it a few times it never came back and she left. The small white dog is skinny, and scared. He is extremely timid around men. I took him to my vet to check and see if had been micro chipped and he is not. The vet tech said his front left leg has an injury that was not taken care of that is why he favors it and why it is turned out to the side, it looks very painful.  I don't understand how a person could do that to an animal. As per Ontario's Law the dog has to be kept for 72 hours before he can be placed up for adoption. Right now he is in a foster home with two little doggy friends and is loving playing with them. I would have kept him here with me but he kept snapping and growling at Jake and I didn't want to risk Jake hurting him my accident. Him and Ace got along just fine lol.

If the owner(s) comes forward to claim him, the owners information will be given to the OSPCA and Sarnia police so it can be investigated.

Company from afar!

They arrived on Sunday night and they left on this morning. I had four kids and four adults in my home for three wonderful days. It was crazy, fun, interesting and miss it already lol. There was 3 eight year olds and 1 three year old. Three little girls and one little boy lol. They got here Sunday night late so it was hang out for a little bit and pretty much gone to bed lol. Monday we hung out, played, I made Pasta with garlic bread, salad and Strawberry short cakes for desserts. We built a need for speed lego set and just enjoyed the day. The three year old helped me make the salad and I think more lettuce went into her belly then the bowl, but they she was eating the green stuff how many kids do that lol. My dogs did awesome with the kids and Ace loved that the three old was at perfect licking height lol. Ace and Jake listened to her every command. On Tuesday we had a huge breakfast of eggs, pancakes, toast, homemade jam, bacon and sausages. Then I took the three eight year old's to an art class at Micheals and they made treasure boxes :). When we got home we had lunch and then made cupcakes. While the cupcakes cooled I took all four kids to the park to the play. The girls are not used to the heat here so we only stayed for a little while, but we had lots of fun. When we got home we decorated the cupcakes lol the three year old had more icing on her face then the cupcakes, but thats okay Ace licked it off of here lol. We had BBQ'd ribs, corn on the cob and twice baked potato's for dinner and ice cream sundaes for dessert. After dinner the kids played in the kiddy pool and with the Xbox Kinetic. Everyone had lots of fun.
I left names out to keep the privacy of the family who came to visit!
Ace has been super mopy all day since they left and wont even play with Jake lol he misses "his" girls lol.

Cashmere and Jay finally set a date!!!

My sister and her fiance have been engaged since Christmas 2010. I am super excited they are getting married July 13, 2013. I get to do the food and cake for the rehearsal party as well as the bridal shower. Its gonna be awesome. She is so happy and has of course already started planning her wedding and booked the hall, which was crazy they only had two dates left for next year. People must really book ahead for the hall they want. She has her colours picked out and they are so beautiful! I need to get my passport so I can go shopping with her in the states for some of the stuff she wants you can only get there. Guess I know what I am doing tomorrow lol.

I can't wait for the big day I love weddings!!!

Home made Finger Paint

I meant to post this during the week, but things have been so busy around here with the renos, yardwork and everything else I do lol.

Jayden and I made this finger paint on Sunday to paint the airplane that he had made out of scrap wood from then renos we are doing.  The recipe was posted on facebook and I figured it would be fun to try! Its kinda neat, its a gel like paint and it was a lot of fun to make. I let Jayden pick the colours he wanted and he mixed the colours into the paint lol I think he had more food colouring on him then he was getting into the pots. This is one thing I will make again with any children that come to visit and one day my own. Its simple and fun for the kids to help with.

Home made dog Popsicle

On Saturday Jayden and I made home made doggy Popsicle's for Ace, Jake, Rylee (my sisters dog) and Sadie (my moms dog). We made them from a link that was posted on facebook. They are super easy to make. Jake and Ace both ate them, but didn't really care for them I doubt unless someone wants me to make them for their dogs that I will make them again.

Ingredients:
Three 6 ounce Containers of Plain, Low-Fat Yogurt
1/2 Cup of Peanut Butter (Low Sodium)
1 Four Ounce Jar of Banana Baby Food
1 Tablespoon of Honey
Directions:
In a medium bowl, combine all ingredients. Blend
well. Pour mixutre into small cups (I used Dixie
Cups). Place dog bone in mixture (to serve as the
handle). Freeze. Once frozen, peel away paper cup
and serve! Yummy!

First Canning of 2012

So I decided I would can apples first this I have not done any apple canning as of yet. I bought myself a food mill as an experienced caner had told me they same so much time. I used it to make the apple sauce and apple butter. I am in love with my food mill lol other then I used the wrong setting for the apple sauce and its a bit chunky lol oh well you live you learn!

Both recipes came from the better homes and gardens new canning magazine, and both turned out awesome and test great! The apple sauce did not make as much as the recipe had said it would. I had lots of apple butter left and made mini apple pies with some of it!

What a sticky mess though lol!!!

Jake(Adopted) June 2012

Jake has been in care since Christmas, he has needed a special forever home, one that could deal with this issues. There has been zero interest in him, until about a week ago there was a little bit of interest and the thought of him leaving here broke my heart, made me feel sick I didn't want him to go. So I decided to put in to adopt Jake. I am just waiting for my contract and then its a go. I love him to death. Of course leave it to me to want to keep one of my foster babies with so many issues lol. We start training on July 2nd and it is an eight week one on one training course and she will bring her personal dogs to meet Jake once she feels he is ready for that big step lol.

Jake came into care after being found by animal control tied to a tree with a shock collar around his neck. He had odd hairless patches on his body. He went for tests and no one could figure out what it was, soon he started to lose all of his fur all over his body he started to look like an old man it was so sad :(. He had dog on dog aggression with another foster dog in my care. We went for more testing and still nothing :(. After about a month or so he started to grow his fur back slowly, he wasn't all scabby anymore and was becoming more active. Dexter left for his forever home and I was consumed that Jake would turn his aggression on my personal dog, that never happened, once Dexter was gone Jake slowly become happy, playful almost like a different dog. He still has issues with other dogs, but with training I am sure that these issues will pass. He will steal things off the kitchen table including kids lego lol he is happy just chilling out or go for a walk or just whatever lol. His safe spot if our bathroom which is kinda weird. He has separation anxiety when left alone without my personal dog, but it is getting better. He opens doors with his nose. He has met children and could take them or leave them lol he has no real interest in them.

He is a great dog and just like my Ace even with issues I wouldn't trade him for the world.
Once Jakes training is finished I will be fostering again until then its all about working on Jaker mans issues!

Grad 2012

Oh my its almost been a month since I posted last, where has the time gone lol.
Well I did I graduated college from the Office Administration Medical program at Lambton college. I did not graduate with honors, but for what all happened this term I think I did very well.
I was happy to have my Mother, Dave, my Grandmother, my Aunt Sherry, my Grandpa, Jay, Marnie and Joe all there to support me. It was a long hot day though :).

Trip to Regina!!

Before I even left for this trip I was worried. I didn't want to leave the dogs home. I thought they would miss me. I was scared something would happen to them while I was gone. This was my biggest fear of the whole trip lol the thought of driving cross country didn't even phase me.

Well my trip was rushed on the way there lol. We left at 5am on the Wed and had to be at the Regina bus depot by 7pm on the Thurs so Jer could catch the bus. We did make it on time, but the first day I drove 20 hours without sleep lol and next day I drove 15 hours. It was a long couple of days.

I don't know why they say that Saskatchewan is so flat I think that Manitoba is far flatter lol. Northern Ontario was beautiful to drive through the views were awesome. Driving the road sucked lol took a lot longer than I thought it would. There was nothing to look at driving through Manitoba I am glad that was a fast drive lol. And not much to look at driving from the Manitoba boarder to Regina either lol.

The visit there was awesome so many things to look at and take pictures of lol I took 766 pictures in total. I would never want to live in Regina though to much like Toronto or Ottawa and I like smaller cities. The lake in the middle of he city is awesome the entire time I was thinking the dogs would love this walk lol. People were so nice their and seemed far more relaxed then those here at home. Even their geese were happier lol.

I love these little dudes they are so cute!!!

The drive home was something else lol I took it easier and it took from Monday morning at 10am when I picked Jer up from the bus station until Wed night at about 11pm to get home. I got a few pictures on the way home of some of the views in Northern Ontario. It was beautiful as always!

Northern Ontario

When I got home I was so excited to see my doggies, they on the other hand could have cared less for about an hour lol they wouldn't even come near me they were so mad at me for leaving. After that they didn't leave my side and the next day when I left to go shopping they lost it thinking I wasn't coming back. It took 3 days of me coming in and out for them to realize I was coming back every time.

Birthmothers Day update from Owen 2012

Well I got a wonderful card in the mail with pictures and update on Owen just a few days before Birthmoms day. He is doing awesome and they can't wait for another visit, neither can I :). He can count to 14, say all of his ABC's and  he can recognize the letter N on paper.

He is learning Greek and can say all the colours as well as "I love you" I am so proud of him!!!

He had his first "school" pictures as they do picture day in his daycare. He normally loves to have his pictures taken and loves the camera, but this time he wanted to be behind the camera checking out how it works and everything. In the pictures I noticed he is starting to have more of my features he has my smile and my eye lashes and shape.

I can't wait to go for another visit I love seeing and its great that he gets so excited to see me!!!

Before I started to foster!

So as I was cleaning the wonderful doggy nose art (snots) off my windows and wondering how they could have gotten it there, I thought I should have taken stock in Windex and Paper Towels when I started to foster rescues. When I thought of this I started to think of other things I should have taken stock in lol here’s my list. And no I did not make this list because I have too much time on my hands, I did this because shelters and rescues need these items every day. Many do not ask for the little things, but every little bit helps!

Puppy Pee pads: When I had the three puppies on man I was changing them almost every two hours.

Paper Towel: Awesome when you have puppy messes, when an untrained adult comes into care or when you get woken up at 3:00am to one of them puking.

Laundry soap: I do about a load of laundry every day, when I had the puppies and they were learning how to get on the couch someone always peed lol. When Jake first came in he needed to pee on everything. Sexy Dexy had this wonderful habit of stepping in his own poop and climbing on my bed or the couch.

Old blankets and sheets: They make awesome doggy beds for those dogs that rip apart their beds (Ace) and for covering the car seats when transporting a furry friend.

Bleach: This and Pinesol is my best friend I use it to clean almost everything floors, walls etc. He helps cut down the doggy stinky smell.

Toys: Mainly without stuffing as this is a wonderful mess to clean up and if eaten and not pooped out can get wrapped around intestines.

Leashes/Collars: Leashes and collars every dog needs one of each.

There are so many items that every rescue/shelter needs these are just a few that I was thinking about while cleaning windows. If you are not sure what to give just ask your local shelter or rescue. No Kill shelters and rescues tend to be most at risk keep this in mind when your helping.

I personally buy all items expect for food, leashes, and collars for my foster dogs out of pocket. The food, leashes and collars come from within the rescue through donations. Let’s just say Costco is my best friend when I have multiple dogs lol J

If possible the most important thing that anyone can donate is your time to volunteer or even better open your home and heart to a foster dog!

Thank you to everyone who helps each of you are helping to save just one more.

Making more nose art for me lol

Dexter got his forever home!

Well its about time lol. Dexter has been in care since Nov 2011 he was three months old and 25lbs when he came into care. He had a few people interested in him, but no one really wanted to take the time needed to work with an active Lab puppy. So he continued to stay in care until a man with many many years Lab experience came along. He was very interested in Dexter. So after the long adoption approval process Dexter was going to get his very own forever home!

On May 5, 2012 Dexter's trip was done in "legs" mine was the first part I took him to Cambridge were I met to super nice ladies, turns out they are a cat rescue lol and just got into transporting dogs. They were taking him to Kingston and from there is was headed to his last stop, his forever home.
He is normally very good on trips in the car but this time he was acting funny and wanted to be as close to me as possible, almost like he knew we were saying goodbye.

It was  a lot harder than I had thought saying goodbye to Dexter, I guess after 7 months in care you kind of get attached. Don't get me wrong I am happy he has his forever home and I can't wait for updates on how he is doing!


When Dexter left care he was almost 10 months old and 85 lbs and taller than you would think lol.

Miscarriage #2

So on March 29th I miscarried once again this is the second time since New Years. I knew that getting pregnant before the 3 months that they recommend would be a risk; however, Dr. Pressy said once they hear the heart beat on the ultra sound the chances of miscarriage are greatly reduced.

I was in a lot of pain and had a lot of bleeding so I went to the hospital I spent that day in the ER and they did an ultra sound the tech found no heart beat. I cried almost the whole day I was a mess. The ER doc said that baby stopped growing at nine weeks and they believe died a few days before I had gone in. They said it was nothing I had done or could have done to stop it. There was a problem with the fetus. Seeing as it was only my second miscarriage she said they don't investigate, but said that I might want to have my autoimmune disease looked at as it could be the cause and I may require special shots or meds so a baby can grow.

They said I would not be able to miscarry naturally as I had a completely closed cervix so I had two choices they could induce natural labor which could take hours and in the end they might still have to do the D&C, or just have a D&C done, I decided to have just the D&C done. So I had a full D&C things went "okay" I had to stay the night at the hospital. I went home the next day after pretty much begging them to release me. I was a mess and just wanted to go home.

Need less to say March was one hell of a month. It took me a long time to "get over" losing this child. I was so excited to be a mom.

Wendy Hughes

On March 9, 2012 Richards mom Wendy Hughes pasted away. It was a very sad time for many of us. Richard and his father flew home right away.

Richard was only home a week and headed back to Regina to work and it was easier to deal with his grief on his own. Richards dad stayed here to take care of things.

I knew Wendy for 12 years give or take, we had our ups and downs since Richard and I got together 5 years ago. She was a very free spirited women, who loved her garden and people. She loved to entertain every chance she got. She was not the greatest cook in the world and we joked around about it all the time.

Wendy was an alcoholic with a difficult past as many who suffer alcoholism have to deal with. She had her battles and never attended AA she "stopped" drinking for many years. She become what those in the AA world call a dry drunk. Once Richards father went away for work she started to drink openly again it was hard on everyone to see her once again going down that road. Her drinking again and not seeking the help she needed is what caused her death.

We all have our demons and we have our vices, but I just wish those who needed help the most could see that and seek the help out!

We are very sorry to have lost a women such as Wendy and she will always be in our hearts and memories!

Pregnant!

Well I guess I can officially announce it now that I have had the ultra sound and things appear "okay". The baby is 8 weeks and 4 days and I am 10 weeks 4 days gestational. We had no been telling anyone because about 6 weeks ago when we first found out my HCG levels were not raising how they were supposed to be. I was so scared that the ultra sound today was going to tell me it was not a viable fetus.

And Yes before anyone has to ask me I plan on parenting this child. I am both excited and scared. They say after a mother places a child for adoption they go one of two ways they become over attached not even allowing their spouse to care for the child or they do not attach at all.

Guilt is one word for how I feel about being pregnant and its not a strong enough word. I am worried that Owen will hate me for parenting a child, that he will wonder why did I keep this one and not him. I am lucky to be able to have him in my life and I would hate for him not to want me a part of his life because I parented another child.

So right now I am happy that everything is "okay" with the baby; however, I am carry so much guilt which I am not sure how to deal with.

 I will find out more details when I see my OBGYN next week as to actually how "okay" things are lol.

Kali has been adopted!

Little miss Kali-cat has moved into her new home with her new mom, dad and big sister Teddy (a schnoodle). I was sad to see her go, I fell in love with that little girl! She new family were in love with her the moment they saw her. She whined when I walked away from here and didn't want to go with them. She slept all the way on her new moms lap and once she got to her new home she followed her mom and sister around all afternoon. I am glad she went to the home she did I was worried because I let Kali sleep in my bed and I didn't want her to be crated. The new family hates crates and Kali will be sleeping with her new family in their BED!!!!

They said that if I wanted to see her they had Skype and I could see her any time I wanted. I can't wait for pictures of her when shes older.

Bear has been adopted

Bear left for his forever home last night. A drive that should have taken me an hour or so took me 2.5 hours because handsome Bear gets car sick really bad. He puked three times and liquid pooped twice. I have never had a dog car sick like I did last night. It was so gross, my car now needs detailed to say the least. Bear's new family loves him, he has a mom and two of his very own girls to look after. He hid behind me almost the whole time. I am sure he is going to miss me and his doggy buddy's but he is be just fine in no time. He starts puppy training with his new famil in a couple of weeks I am sure he is going to do awesome, just hope he can over come this car sickness :(

DO I GO HOME TODAY? (A dogs view)

DO I GO HOME TODAY?(Author Unknown)

My family brought me home cradled in their arms.
They cuddled me and smiled at me and said I was full of charm.

They played with me and laughed with me and showered me with toys.
I sure do love my family, especially the little girls and boys.

The children loved to feed me; they gave me special treats.
They even let me sleep with them - all snuggled in the sheets.

I used to go for walks, often several times a day.
They even fought to hold the leash, I'm very proud to say!

These are the things I'll not forget - a cherished memory.
I now live in the shelter - without my family.

They used to laugh and praise me when I played with that old shoe.
But I didn't know the difference between the old one and the new.

The kids and I would grab a rug, for hours we would tug.
So I thought I did the right thing when I chewed the bedroom rug.

They said I was out of control and would have to live outside.
This I didn't understand, although I tried and tried!

The walks stopped, one by one; they said they hadn't the time.
I wish that I could change things; I wish I knew my crime.

My life became so lonely in the backyard on a chain.
I barked and barked all day long to keep from going insane.

So they brought me to the shelter, but were embarrassed to say why.
They said I caused an allergy, and then each kissed me goodbye.

If I'd only had some training as a little pup,
I wouldn't have been so hard to handle when I was all grown up.

"You only have one day left", I heard a worker say.
Does that mean I have a second chance? Do I go home today?


I found this on the web today looking for quotes for my memory wall. 

Old Man Winter

This year we have had a very mild winter, we have not had to shovel snow, or dress in parkas. Its been nice with all the positive temperatures I had even had all my windows open at one point, which was nice seeing how 5 dogs tend to get a tad smelly and puppy training really smells lol. So with our hopes high (mine anyway) That this mild weather would just keep on being mild right up until spring. WRONG!!!

I guess Old Man Winter has come back from his vacation because we went from having no snow, +5 temperatures to -19 in the wind and about a foot of snow. I don't mind the snow, I don't even mind shoveling, but when it comes with the -19 temperatures I am quite happy for it to stay away.

I am so buying a snow blower next year lol. On the other hand the dogs are just loving it especially Ace!

My back yard on Thurs: Yes its a mess, but 5 dogs will do that!

My back yard today (Sat): Can't see the mess anymore lol

I am a "bad" doggy foster home

 I am a "bad" dog foster home as I was told.

Most foster dogs that come to into my home or into rescue care have been beaten, starved, abandoned by owners who decided they got to big, were too much work, didn't have time for them or were moving, left for dead, used as bait dogs, used as fight dogs, shot at, burned, stabbed, forgotten, unwanted, alone, and scared.

I teach my foster "babies" what cheese and peanut butter are, how to play, how to be a dog, that there will always be food for them, what a treat is, basic tricks, manners etc. That not all car rides are bad, I let them sleep on my bed at  night, yes at the moment all five of them. I let them sleep on the couch, even with me on it. I bath them and love them and show them that all humans are not bad, I teach them how to trust humans and other animals again. I teach them not to fear everything, and in some cases for some of them that coming into the house is okay. Yes they sometimes jump on people, poop and pee on the floor, eat my furniture, destroy my carpet, bite, growl, fight with me and each other, but I do not give up on them.

Yes there is mud from one end of house to the other, yes they are noisy and smell and make a huge mess, and no you can't take your shoes off in my house, but if isn't wasn't for me and the countless others opening our homes and hearts to these dogs then who knows where they might have ended up.
Oh wait I do, Killed by heart sticking, gas chambers, or just left alone to die.

Every night when I go to bed I have five dogs cuddling with me, I get kisses and love all day, everyday, they love to play and learn. Each dog is unique and different, each dogs comes with its own issues, and quirks. I work on those everyday with each one. They show unconditional love, even after what they have been through, some take a little longer to come around, but they all do.

I wouldn't trade what I do for a clean house, the ability to have company over at the drop of a hat, a back yard that is not a mud pit lol, or even a full nights sleep. It's too important, there are too many that need our help.


So I got told I was a bad foster home because I allow the dogs to sleep with me, I give them cheese and other treats, I let them have free run of the house, and well my floors are covered in mud (and I am sure there's a little bit of dog poop mixed in with the mud). I think all of those reasons that they said I was a bad foster mom is the reasons I am a good one!

Until you open your home and foster a dog you have no idea what true unconditional love can be like. (Nor do you have a right to tell me I am a bad foster home)

Richard-Travel Card

So for the first time in almost 6 years Richard is working travel away from home. He has worked away from home before, but never this far and never for this long. Richard is in Regina! He is working a job that will keep him away from for the next 6 months give or take.
I know how much help Richard has been to me while he's laid off and this year we have 4 foster dogs plus one of our own, and are starting renovations so things are very choatic right now to say the least.
The first day he left I was not able to be here one he left I was transporting a dog to Godrich for Friendly Giants Dog Rescue, we had to say our good byes in the afternoon. I hate when he leaves and I am not here to see him leave I am not sure why its harder that way, but it just is. I was a basket case I cried pretty much from the time I left to take the dog to her temp foster until I got home. I hated coming home and knowing he wasn't here. Sleeping alone well that was a first and it was not easy, the dogs made it a bit easier as all 5 of them cuddled me. I cried myself to sleep that night.
My second day was hard I cried on and off all day and kept myself as busy as I could (which isn't hard for me to do). I found nights where harder than days.
Tuesday Richard reached Regina him and his dad drove out together and will be working on the same job site so that made me feel a lot better knowing that his dad was with him.
Today (Wed) Richard started his first day on the job, I hated knowing that I didn't pack his lunch and who knew what he was taking for lunch.
Richard says its a lie its cold out there lol. He says that cold is cold weather it is wet or dry lol.
I have started to get myself and the dogs into a routine that is making it easier to bare Richard not being here.
I hope time goes by fast for now I am throwing myself into the dogs, friendly giants stuff, and school.
Richard hates being away from home as well, he is focusing on work, and trying not to think so much.
I am glad that we have Cogeco so I can call and talk to him anytime I want! Hes working 6 days a week so he is going to be a busy boy.
I know in the union they say work is work is work. Well that may be, but I like it way better when work is here lol.
I am grateful for having Len as a roommate as his help while Richard is away. I am hoping we can start the renovations soon, so I have a new project to work on!

Picture Richard sent from his phone

Shadow Our 6th foster: Adopted January 2012

Shadow now know as Harry has been adopted to a wonderful women. She works in a vets office and is taking very great care of our little Shadow. She has another lab/poodle so she is very familiar with their care and hair maintenance. We have gotten pictures and email updates, as well as I got to see him. I didn't think he would remember me, but as soon as he saw me he was so excited. He is getting big just like Bear and Kali, but you notice more of a difference when they are not around you everyday.

Shadow the day before he left!

We have created a wall of photo's in memory of all the dogs we have been lucky enough to save Shadow, I can happily say is a proud member of that wall!

Jake Foster Dog Number 9

Over the past 5 months we have been lucky to help save 9 dogs, that is almost two a month and January is not over yet.

Jake was picked up by animal control and brought into a vet here in town, he was going to be put down if we did not find a spot for him. At the time we didn't have any open spots at all everyone is over flowing with dogs. Michelle at MOTS was kind enough to open her doors and allow Jake to stay there until we could find him an open foster spot. It turns out he has really really bad separation anxiety and can not be left alone uncrated for long periods of time and at Michelles shop he was having to be left alone for 12 hours at night when it was closed. He destroyed her shop twice and he had to be moved. Luckily Shadow was going to his forever home the same day that Jake had to be moved, so he came home with me. He is a lovey, sweet boy I know he barks I heard him at Michelles, but he has not bark here yet. He had a great first night, aside from him and Dexter hate each other, but I am pretty sure its because Jake is newly fixed and Dexter is unaltered at the moment. We left him uncrated last night while we slept and he did just fine he is just getting used to being in a house with all the house noises and stuff going on. The TV freaked him right out lol. He hates loud noises, we are going to work on basic commands, but he knows sit and knows to come when called. He is mostly house trained lol he has not pooped in the house at all which is wonderful; however when he first got here he peed on three things, but has not peed anywhere since. He is beautiful, smart, and just all around loving. He has to be right with you at all times. Jake we think was tied to a tree most of his life ( he is only a year old) and had a bark collar on the whole time, he had a large scare (pictures later) of his neck that gets rubbed raw from the normal collar we are going to try and walk him today with a harness so his neck can better. He is about a year old, we are not %100 sure on his breed. He is most likely Rotti mix. There will be more details as I know them on his photo on facebook.

His neck wound

Animal Gas Chambers Not for the faint of heart

I came accross this when I was doing my reseach report for English class. It is heart breaking and I cried when I read it. I was not going to share this, but I feel I need to. There is a difference to be made, but in order to do that Friendly Giants needs more foster homes. Open your hearts and home to one foster dog and you will see the changes not only in him or her, but in you! They deserve so much more than this, our system is broken when it comes to animal rights. If you can't foster or adopt for whatever reason please cross post adoptable dogs, donate Friendly Giants always needs smething for the dogs.

I warn this is not for the faint of heart!

This is an old one posted up by some anonymous person on craigslist. Hell, I wouldn't want to sign my name to it either.

Yes, I Gas Dogs and Cats for a Living. I'm an Animal Control officer in a very small town in central North Carolina. I'm in my mid thirties, and have been working for the town in different positions since high school.

There is not much work here, and working for the county provides good pay and benefits for a person like me without a higher education. I'm the person you all write about how horrible I am.

I'm the one that gasses the dogs and cats and makes them suffer. I'm the one that pulls their dead corpses out smelling of Carbon Monoxide and throws them into green plastic bags. But I'm also the one that hates my job and hates what I have to do.

First off, all you people out there that judge me, don't. God is judging me, and I know I'm going to Hell. Yes, I'm going to hell. I wont lie, it's despicable, cold, cruel and I feel like a serial killer. I'm not all to blame, if the law would mandate spay and neuter, lots of these dogs and cats wouldn't be here for me to gas. I'm the devil, I know it, but I want you people to see that there is another side to me the devil Gas Chamber man.
The shelter usually gasses on Friday morning.

Friday's are the day that most people look forward to, this is the day that I hate, and wish that time will stand still on Thursday night. Thursday night, late, after nobody's around, my friend and I go through a fast food line, and buy 50 dollars worth of cheeseburgers and fries, and chicken. I'm not allowed to feed the dogs on Thursday, for I'm told that they will make a mess in the gas chamber, and why waste the food.

So, Thursday night, with the lights still closed, I go into the saddest room that anyone can every imagine, and let all the doomed dogs out out their cages.

I have never been bit, and in all my years doing this, the dogs have never fought over the food. My buddy and I, open each wrapper of cheeseburger and chicken sandwich, and feed them to the skinny, starving dogs.

They swallow the food so fast, that I don't believe they even taste it. There tails are wagging, and some don't even go for the food, they roll on their backs wanting a scratch on their bellys. They start running, jumping and kissing me and my buddy. They go back to their food, and come back to us. All their eyes are on us with such trust and hope, and their tails wag so fast, that I have come out with black and blues on my thighs.. They devour the food, then it's time for them to devour some love and peace. My buddy and I sit down on the dirty, pee stained concrete floor, and we let the dogs jump on us. They lick us, they put their butts in the air to play, and they play with each other. Some lick each other, but most are glued on me and my buddy.

I look into the eyes of each dog. I give each dog a name.

They will not die without a name.

I give each dog 5 minutes of unconditional love and touch.

I talk to them, and tell them that I'm so sorry that tomorrow they will die a gruesome, long, torturous death at the hands of me in the gas chamber.

Some tilt their heads to try to understand.

I tell them, that they will be in a better place, and I beg them not to hate me.

I tell them that I know I'm going to hell, but they will all be playing with all the dogs and cats in heaven.

After about 30 minutes, I take each dog individually, into their feces filled concrete jail cell, and pet them and scratch them under their chins. Some give me their paw, and I just want to die. I just want to die. I close the jail cell on each dog, and ask them to forgive me. As my buddy and I are walking out, we watch as every dog is smiling at us and them don't even move their heads. They will sleep, with a full belly, and a false sense of security.

As we walk out of the doomed dog room, my buddy and I go to the cat room.

We take our box, and put the very friendly kittens and pregnant cats in our box.
The shelter doesn't keep tabs on the cats, like they do the dogs.

As I hand pick which cats are going to make it out, I feel like I'm playing God, deciding whose going to live and die.

We take the cats into my truck, and put them on blankets in the back.

Usually, as soon as we start to drive away, there are purring cats sitting on our necks or rubbing against us.

My buddy and I take our one way two hour trip to a county that is very wealthy and they use injection to kill animals.

We go to exclusive neighborhoods, and let one or two cats out at a time.

They don't want to run, they want to stay with us. We shoo them away, which makes me feel sad.

I tell them that these rich people will adopt them, and if worse comes to worse and they do get put down, they will be put down with a painless needle being cradled by a loving veterinarian. After the last cat is free, we drive back to our town.

It's about 5 in the morning now, about two hours until I have to gas my best friends.

I go home, take a shower, take my 4 anti-anxiety pills and drive to work.. I don't eat, I can't eat. It's now time, to put these animals in the gas chamber. I put my ear plugs in, and when I go to the collect the dogs, the dogs are so excited to see me, that they jump up to kiss me and think they are going to play.

I put them in the rolling cage and take them to the gas chamber. They know. They just know. They can smell the death.. They can smell the fear. They start whimpering, the second I put them in the box. The boss tells me to squeeze in as many as I can to save on gas. He watches. He knows I hate him, he knows I hate my job. I do as I'm told. He watches until all the dogs, and cats (thrown in together) are fighting and screaming. The sounds is very muffled to me because of my ear plugs. He walks out, I turn the gas on, and walk out.

I walk out as fast as I can. I walk into the bathroom, and I take a pin and draw blood from my hand. Why? The pain and blood takes my brain off of what I just did.
In 40 minutes, I have to go back and unload the dead animals. I pray that none survived, which happens when I overstuff the chamber. I pull them out with thick gloves, and the smell of carbon monoxide makes me sick. So does the vomit and blood, and all the bowel movements. I pull them out, put them in plastic bags.

They are in heaven now, I tell myself. I then start cleaning up the mess, the mess, that YOU PEOPLE are creating by not spay or neutering your animals. The mess that YOU PEOPLE are creating by not demanding that a vet come in and do this humanely. You ARE THE TAXPAYERS, DEMAND that this practice STOP!

So, don't call me the monster, the devil, the gasser, call the politicians, the shelter directors, and the county people the devil. Heck, call the governor, tell him to make it stop.

As usual, I will take sleeping pills tonight to drown out the screams I heard in the past, before I discovered the ear plugs. I will jump and twitch in my sleep, and I believe I'm starting to hallucinate.

This is my life. Don't judge me. Believe me, I judge myself enough.

 This quote was taken from: http://onebarkatatime.blogspot.com/2009/03/gas-chamber-refugees.html

This picture came from http://www.animallawcoalition.com/gas-chambers

To foster, adopt, donate or help visit www.friendlygiantsdogsrescue.ca