Birthday Lion Update

Actually not much of an update if you compare it to the previous picture a few posts back.  But in my defense I've been doing end-of-season yard work and after last night's storm there is even more to do.  Plus desperately trying to clean up my wool room before the next camp in 10 days.  OY!  What a task.

As mentioned before, Birthday Lion is a design by Bill Laraway.  Isn't it the cutest, least fierce lion you've ever seen?  He almost looks like he's smiling and reminds me of a carousel ride from my youth.  You could probably get any size you want but this one is 20 x 23.5.  I'm sure Bill would accommodate your requests for smaller or larger.  

My boy Ben will visit his recently found friends at the same kennel and am so happy they welcomed him back.  I knew he was a good boy but many people are timid around Rottweilers and Pits.  But Kathleen Marie and I know they are not all bad dogs.  We happen to have lap dogs who like head and body massages.  

BTW, Ben was adopted when he was 3 years 7 months and I feel lucky to have my boy.  Please adopt a dog rather than from a breeder farm.  There are so many homeless and owner released dog which need homes.  Sometimes people don't realize it IS an emotional and financial commitment to care for a dog like it was your family member.  And that is what Ben is to me...he is my child.

Saundra

My Boy Ben

My handsome boy Ben had his annual physical today.  Yet it was just in April when he had the spot removed from his belly.  

The picture above was taken November 2011 soon after adoption and before he had his backyard.  That is why he is tethered while I trim lirope near him.  Isn't he a handsome boy?

This photo above is the following November when Ben and Phantom (a neighbor's Rottie and Ben's best pal) played in their backyard.  Ben is on the left and Phantom on the right.  Phantom is gone and even now when we walk by the house Ben will cry.

When Ben was at the vet in April he was 103.4 pounds and since he is a big dog and Rotties are prone to hip problems they wanted me to get him back to his best weight which was under 100 lbs.  Yippee, mama's diet for Ben showed that since April (just 4 months folks) he is now at 98.4 pounds.  

All I did was do less cookies.  If good behaviour deserved a cookie then I broke it in half.  He didn't know he was getting half...he knew he had a cookie.

Ben LOVES his veggies.  When I make a salad or hears me washing veggies he runs in the kitchen.  Ben loves the hard white parts of Romaine and Iceberg lettuce; loves the tips of zuchinni, the ends of celery and carrots.  Oh, also loves the ends of asparagus and fresh spinash....go figure.  DO NOT give onions to dogs.

Anyway, most of you have already stopped reading my blog by now I'm sure, but hey, don't have a new picture of my rug.

This is what my boy endured today:

~Check on surgery spot of mass removal
~senior blood profile
~Lyme Vaccination
~Lepto vaccination
~Anal sac expression
~nails clipped
~plus various and sundry probes and punches

So on the way home when Ben was stressed out, panting and under duress, he said to me...".a little this, a little that." 

But if ya want to know what he did have to say which I won't post here.... write me to inquire.  If you are a NO-Reply blogger you won't get the message.

Have a great evening everyone.  And FYI I adore my wonderful adopted Rottweiler.  Do not hesitate to adopt a dog.  I prefer big dogs as they are great protectors and faithful companions who want to be with family too.

Saundra

My Boy Ben

Thanks to those of you who have inquired about my boy's health.  Here is a picture of him just after adoption and before he had a fenced in back yard.  Since it had been established he's an avid car chaser I had him tethered while working in the yard beside him.  Good grief, this was November 2011 and he was 3 years 7 months at that time.

To those who may have missed the previous posts, I discovered a raised lump on Ben's underbelly.  It is soft and looks like a worn pencil eraser. Compare the size to my fingernail.

That raised spot appeared almost overnight because he shows his vulnerable underbelly side often and I would have seen it.

After surgery I started calling the vet after 5 days hoping the biopsy report would be in early.  Then day 7 I called again and it still wasn't so the staff said the vet would call as soon as it came in.  The doctor called yesterday late afternoon after his office visits.

Ben has a low grade (thank God) MAST CELL tumor.  Thank goodness I took him in to have it removed immediately as it could have developed quickly into a worse problem.  I've never seen this on my other dogs but understand it is common with both cats and dogs. 

It was a soft tissue and looked harmless.  BUT, had it been on my body I'd have wanted my dermatologist to remove it immediately.  Since my boy Ben is my companion and my FAMILY I treat his health as tho he were my child.  

You can learn more about that health issue by Googling MAST CELL TUMOR.  And, please consider adoption for your next pet.  This is a sweet loving Rottweiler (okay, he hates cars and trucks) but he loves people, particularly kids.  He will go right past adults to seek out children and he loves my grandson.

A disclaimer, as with any pet purchase or adoption, please make sure it is a suitable fit with the family and learn about their history if you can. 

I love my handsome boy Ben.

Hugs to all.
Saundra

Cape May 10 Days and Counting

Little by little I'm getting my act together for Cape May camp, a/k/a Rugs by the Sea.  As with most rug camps and hook-ins there is a camp store or individual shops.  In the case of Cape May there is one camp store run by the organizers and hookers may bring their wares to put in the shop for a fee.

Since I no longer do shows think I'll take some of my Fall/Halloween items to sell and what doesn't sell there will go on etsy or eBay when home.  These four wool applique Jacks will go but NOT that cute mat which was hooked by Tonya Robey of MadHen.

Jack-O-Lynne, the cotton painted pumpkin doll with spider wings will go too.

Three variations of this Candy Corn Cat will be in the booth.

A hooked face Witch Doll goes too.  No, she isn't very pretty but then witches aren't supposed to be are they?  BTW, that Faux pumpkin container was made by me.  A group of my gal pals would get together to work on a project and one of us would teach a class.  A friend taught us gals how to make our own antique style mache Jack.  Matter of fact, we even made a snowman container so perhaps I'll show you that in December.

There are three acorn pincushions left from my shows.  This one is on a ceramic pedestal.  

There are two others which have a needle keep attached which folds and snaps shut.

It will be nice to rid myself of these items and perhaps someone at rug camp will find one interesting for the season and go home with them.

The last two years I've taken some Dorr natural primitive linens in various sizes which have serged edges.  They seemed to be a hit for people who either forgot their pattern, changed their mind on the project, or take home and draw a design when feeling creative.

I'd thought of hooking more flower pins but just wasn't in the mood. What's fun is tricking my mind when something sells that the cost of items purchased at rug camp was at a reduced cost since you sold something. lol.  That's the mentality we women have with a sale...."But honey, I saved money!"  Well the only "honey" I have is my boy Ben and he doesn't care as long as he gets his hugs, rubs, food and shelter.  

Speaking of my boy Ben.  I want to share a picture I've never posted of him.  This was our first meeting out of 3 before I adopted him.  Having had a bad experience with Bella, an adoption, wanted to be sure Ben would work.  Got out of the car and said, "Hi Ben, I know you but you don't know me".   I asked him to sit and this is the photo I took.  

This is a later photo of my boy Ben with a toy and a Bully Stick. Folks, adoption is great and I've a good boy here.

Hope you all have a great evening and happy hooking.

Saundra

Time To Switch Projects

Thank goodness I'm ready to start my Black Kitten Mat.  It is patiently waiting for me on my frame, I've cut some of the background wool and pulled out my worms for the rest.  Well, okay, I did cut some wide cut primitive black but not much as there is a bag of various colors and strip sizes that would be great for the cat.

So the cat picture will be by my side when I finally sit down, the background wool is in the smaller basket and the worms are in the plastic container and in the bags.  And  yes, my loyal companion Ben will be to my right and by my side all night long.  See those white dot eyes?

By the way, Ben was acting as my protector last night when the horrific storm came up.  I knew the storm was coming but he heard sounds outside before I did and thought he had to go to the bathroom so let him out back.  He bolted out the back porch door and started barking like an attack dog. 

It was then it dawned on me the storm might have developed into a tornado.  I live in the woods and could now hear snapping and thrashing of debris coming thru the woods behind me.  So started screaming Ben's name so he and I could go into a closet to be safe. Seems that as quickly as the worst wind came up it soon departed.  But Ben would not let me out of his sight.

Had a lot of tree debris to pick up this morning before I could cut grass (yes, the new mower works again) before the next onslaught of rain and summer storms starting again tomorrow afternoon.  Most limbs and leaves I picked up but this was too heavy and needs man power.

They may look like easy limbs to drag but they aren't.  And, there are several there which has a lot of weight with healthy leaves...used to be healthy. 

And here is the look of the Man Cave Rug as it is folded away for a bit.  I'm at a comfortable place now to play and have fun hooking.  There is still some dark wool which needs to be pulled out around the pool balls, also need to get the word MAN centered properly.  But hey, I've still got almost 6 months before it is due. 

And for those of you who many not know, my big boy Ben was adopted at the age of 3 years 7 months.  I've had him 3 years now and he is wonderful.  His only fault is fast moving vehicles as he was a car chaser.  Ben is never let loose and thanks to my ex has a fenced in back yard that he can enjoy.  Ben still gets his walks daily because no family member likes to see the same scenery or smells every day.  Just love my boy Ben.  Think pet adoption.

Have a great evening everyone.

Saudnra

Murphy's Law

A couple years ago during the hottest part of July my AC went out and had to have a brand new heat pump installed to the tune of maybe over $3,000.  Ben and I suffered for a couple days until we could get relief.

Well guess what?  Now I've no heat ~ Hey ya'll it is winter here.  This is my heat source right now.

I have a heat pump with propane second stage furnace, expensive heat but much warmer heat than the heat pump produces with frigid temps.  They work in tandem so when the ground air gets below 39 degrees all the heat pump would give me is cold air.  Therefore I had to have a second source of heat ~ propane furnace. 

Called my serviceman today who came, worked on the unit for quite a while.  My furnace is 18 years old and could not be revived...it is dead and he showed me why.  If I keep it and do Band-Aids there might be a fire.  So it is time to replace it. 

AH, so you are thinking.... what about the heat pump?  Nope, it won't work either since they work in tandem and heat pump sends a signal to the furnace that it is too cold out here for me to heat her house.  So it won't work either.

Ben must feel my anxiety because he will NOT leave my side.  I was on the computer (he was in this room by my feet), I went to the living room to take a picture of the space heater and he would not leave me.  So this is the picture I took.

And yes that is a propane fire log fireplace you see to the left.  Uh, Murphy's Law again.... when I turn it on the smoke alarms go off.  Even had the service man look at it too and he doesn't understand why it is happening.  So my man Ben is my guardian. 

Yes, there is an issue with him with wanting to chase cars which drive fast.  But  that is his only issue.  I want to tell you that adopting him was a most wonderful thing.  He makes me feel safe even tho he doesn't bring in any income to help pay for all this.

I've put an electric blanket on the bed under the quilt, it is plugged in and will turn it on when I go to bed.  Have closed all the doors to upstairs and rooms nearest outside walls which I don't use so what heat is built up with the space heater can be saved in the living area.  Not to worry, I'll turn off the space heater before I go to bed.

I will close my bedroom door because this side of the house will be warmer than the bedroom area, another outside wall on two sides.  Brings back memories of when my brother and I stayed with our grandfather on occasion.  Pop-pop only had a wood burning heating and cooking stove in the kitchen downstairs.  OH, plus no indoor plumbing, only a hand crank pump in the pump room.

 

My brother and I would sleep upstairs without heat but would be swallowed up by a feather mattress and thick blankets and quilts on top.  I doubt we could even have moved during the night with the weight on us.  When we awakened we would run downstairs like we were being chased by a mad wolf to put our butts close to the stove to get warm and await fresh eggs and bacon or scrapple that he had made.

Have also my hoodie sweatshirt and turtleneck ready to go tomorrow so there is no looking for clothes to wear while in the cold house.

 

Thank you GOD for temperatures slightly warmer tomorrow and not in the teens like we've had.  So Ben and I will survive this. Didn't get more leaves raked today since I've been so busy and tomorrow is rain so no leaf raking.  NOR, did I get my runner finished.  But at least it gave me something to b!#ch about and keep me from stressing too much about no heat or what my allergies might be.

 

Have a great weekend and hope you accomplish more hooking than I have achieved the last few days.

 

Saundra

DETOUR NO MORE

Detour hooking project is over, Christmas day was yesterday and now my journey can continue on my antique adaptation of "Cherries and Candy Stripe".  For those of you just checking out my blog this is the antique rug my project was inspired by.  The original antique was 30" x 75" but I wanted something smaller for my harvest table.  My design measures 14 x 35 for my table.

This is what I've accomplished so far.  I chose to use a tan against the light stripes rather than goldish as the original hooker.  But remember the other hooker used what she had. 

Yes, I did all the pre-finish work and even sewed on a stripe cotton binding since it will be on the table and not on the floor.  Besides, I know exactly this is the size I want and finishing will be a lot easier having done this in advance.  That said, IF I was working on a pattern and thought maybe I'd make the border wider I'd have waited to finish at the very last.

I adore antique rugs and it is SO MUCH FUN trying to replicate the antique look using what is in my stash.  Sometimes I don't get close but do keep trying as I love antique rugs and think about the women who came before me who hooked them.

Check back on my progress.  Even tho this is a small piece I'm not sure it will be completed in 2014 since weather tomorrow is good and yard work needs to be done. 

Hope you had a very Merry Christmas with family, friends and furry friends.  Ben is laying by my side snoring with a full belly from goodies and play with his new toys.  This is my exhausted adopted Rottweiler.  He was 3 years 7 months old when adopted.  Please consider adoption.  I've a good, loving, friendly and loyal dog.

Have a great evening everyone.  I'm hoping to get yard work done tomorrow before colder weather comes in BUT plan to hook on my new project so it can be logged into the finished projects of 2014.  Stay tuned.

Saundra
 

Home Ownership and Ben

Last night the slow leak under my kitchen sink decided to roar it's ugly head.  When first aware I put a container under the sink to catch the drip in order to delay repair but realized it wouldn't heal itself.  Thankfully today was able to get a plumber just 3 days before Thanksgiving.

Since I have a Rottweiler, it is always an issue inviting workers in since Rotties get a bad rap ~ so I always ask if they have a problem with a BIG dog.  Thankfully my plumber was okay with Ben. 

Ben was 3 years 7 months when adopted and happy he is a well behaved dog.  Sadly Rotties get a bad rap ~ yes they can be badly behaved when not well socialized or irresponsible owner breeding and training. 

Anyway, the plumber was here about 2 hours and I needed a new kitchen sink faucet unit.  Was hoping to have the bill today but one is being sent to me so have no idea what this is going to cost.  EEK!  Plumbers, electricians, doctors and lawyers make darn good money for their hours or quarter hours of work.  Unfortunately we rug hookers can't claim the same for our time and materials.

Sorry to bore you but here is a picture of the first meeting of my big boy Ben on his previous property.  The owner had him tethered to a tree to be sure he was there when I arrived to meet him.  When I got out of the car I looked at him and said, ...."Ben, I know you, but you don't know me".  The owner unleashed him, Ben sniffed and I told him to sit.  This was the very first picture of him that I took. He looks so sad and humbled.

When I look at this picture even now I'm not sure what he is feeling.  Ben did have manners because he followed my command.  He lived either in the basement or was let run free.  Unfortunately he would chase cars. and the faster the vehicles would drive the more he wanted to chase.   That could have been a deadly game for him.

Now when I gently grasp his face and talk to him I will say, "Hi, Ben..... I know you but you don't know me".  Ben's ears will perk up like he remembers our first meeting.  

OMG, I sure do love my boy Ben.  Isn't he handsome??  BTW, when the plumber wanted to talk to me and explain the plumbing issues, Ben put himself between the plumber and me.  Ben was doing his job protecting his mom and his home.

If you are wanting a dog or giving a dog to someone for Christmas,  please research about the characteristics, needs, size and activity levels of animals before you choose.  Having a pet is like having a child.  They require doctor visits, annual shots and meds to keep them healthy.  Pets ARE a responsibility and we are their caretakers.

And, please consider adoption.  Look what I have and he was 3 years 7 months.  With Ben I visited him 3 visits to be sure it would work.  All I can say is I love my boy Ben.

Have a great evening.

Saundra

Moving Right Along

The Ali Katz rug whipping is in the homestretch, the Folk Art Horse mat is all hooked and now needs binding so it is time to put something on my frame to keep me occupied between now and Sunday when I leave for camp.

And just WHAT is that pattern I'm moving right along to?  That would be the cute snowman pattern JOLLY that I purchased from Star Rug Company last year.   

Ben must know something is up because he won't leave my side.  I'm at the computer typing and he will whine (cry, complain) in the living because he wants me in there with him.  When I don't comply he comes to me.  Must say it is great to have dog that loves the companion of his family.  Particularly so with a Rottie (who gets a bad rap) and again particularly since Ben was 3 years 7 months old when I adopted him.  Isn't he a handsome hunk of dog?

And Ben would be right, there is something going on.  Lately I've had several doctor visits and tests so have been in, out and about.  But as far as he is concerned I was absent to him.  Then tomorrow morning I'm having a lump removed from inside a vastus medialis muscle on my right thigh.

This is going to put a cramp in my otherwise healthy and active life.  Am still going to rug camp leaving Sunday and hopefully will be fully functional for normal activities.  Guess it is a good thing it is happening now since there will be someone here to care for Ben and give me a break for camp.  Thank goodness this lump will be GONE tomorrow.

Have a great evening everyone.  I may not sleep well tonight but will tomorrow after they sedate me.

Saundra

A Rottweiler named Ben

My handsome Ben had his annual physical yesterday afternoon and he is in perfect health for a 6 year old big dog.  He had all his shots, free of heart worms according to the test (thank GOD) and purchased more Heartguard for my boy's continued health for the next year.  This is a photo from November 2011 while working in the front yard and pre-playground.

This was the first of three visits I made to meet Ben.  I wanted to be sure about him before bringing him to my home since I'd had a disastrous short adoption of Bella previously.  When I pulled up he was tethered to a tree so he wouldn't run off before my arrival.  When I got out of the car I said, "Hi Ben, I know you but you don't know me yet".  The owner let him loose, I petted him and gave the sit command.  Here he is looking very sheepishly which I've since realized is an affectionate look.  Even now he will drop those ears peer into my eyes and slowly and longingly lick his lips.

Here he is in November 2011 before he had a fenced in playground and I wanted him with me while I did yard work.  Look at that handsome boy.

When I adopted Ben he weighed about 120 and when I took him in for his first wellness exam (right after adoption) the vet suggested I get his weight down to about 100.  Ben didn't look over weight and was handsome even then.  Last visit to the vet he weighed 103 and I was quite pleased with that as was the vet.  Yesterday the scales were at 99.6.  Here is a photo of my handsome dude relaxing in his playground.

This was Ben's favorite toy which had 3 different sounds when the noise box was squeezed.  Ben would twist his head from side to side each time the tone changed.  It was his favorite until he killed it.  Once the sounds stopped he lost interest.  I looked everywhere for one just like it but not to be found.

WHAT?  Yes, I do feed my boy well, and yes he does get treats in his Kongs and for good boy deeds and also monitor his intake of calories.  I was concerned he was under 100 pounds but the vet said he was a healthy active Rottie in summer and to keep on doing what I was doing.

When I make a salad Ben will hear me washing the Romaine lettuce and will com running into the kitchen grab his goodies.  He also likes the bottom hard part of celery, the cut off ends of zuchinni, cukes, broccoli, and of course carrots and sweet potatoes.  They are all healty for dogs.  But please remember that the following foods are NOT good for dogs:  onions, chocolate, raisins, grapes, banana peels, and when in doubt do  a search to find out if it is good or bad.

Sorry to bore those of you who are not dog people, but I just had to gloat about my sweet boy Ben.  I got very lucky with him and I think he with me too.  You CAN get a good dog thru pet adoption.  And you CAN get a sociable dog who likes people and other pets even if they are considered a dangerous breed.  I believe the majority of problem dogs come from not getting socialized properly, abuse (mistrust issues), and training or lack of. 

Have a great evening.

Saundra

A Rug and A Rottie

I've made some progress on the Pot of Flowers pattern sure wish I could get it done before Wednesday afternoon when the commission piece(s) arrive.  Yeah, started out as one project and is now 3, but that's okay, it will give me pocket change to feed my hooking addiction.  Was so tempted to just keep hooking the strips that were hanging below the pattern but decided to take it off the frame and post a picture anyway.  I mean, that could just go on forever with finishing up the strip.

And just had to share a picture of my sweet boy Rottie Ben.  I adopted Ben in October 2011 when he was 3 years 7 months old.  Hard to believe I've had him almost 3 years.  This boy is such a sweetheart, very affectionate, loves people, gets along with other dogs well too.  The picture below is Ben to the left and Phantom, his very best neighbor friend who is now departed. 

Rotties and Pits might have a bad name but they are not all bad dogs.  I previously owned two other Rotties.  They were good dogs and raised from puppies.  So Ben is proof that you can adopt a good adult dog, even one with a bad rap.  Just be sure to inquire how long the dog has been worked with and socialized after having been rescued.

Ben does have a flaw tho, he was a car chaser so if a vehicle drives too fast around the meadow I just might need to 'tone' him with the training collar to divert his attention.  Were it not for that he would be perfect.

Below is a picture taken yesterday of my silly boy.   Yup, it is in the shape of a pacifier but it is a KONG and a treat is stuffed inside.  Here he is trying to crush the treat with those strong jaws so the treat will fall out the hole.  He looks funny with the pacifier end in his mouth.

Oh my, look at all those wool ends and threads, dog hair and toys.  Guess I need to pull out my vacuum instead of putting a rug back on the frame.

Have a great evening everyone.

Saundra

Boys and their Toys

The boy I'm talking about is my boy Ben.  Well, actually it's his mom (me) who has the problem because she (I) keep buying him more toys.

So yesterday I picked up a different toy at Big Lots for only $3.  When the body was squeezed it made about an 8-10 second 'chirp, tweet tweet, peep peep.  There was a pause between the 3 different tones and it caught Ben's attention.  Here is a picture of his first introduction.  Yes, sadly it looks like a dead chicken but he thinks it's his baby.

After pushing the body of the toy for the sounds again, Ben went thru his adorable head twists, picked it up and took it to his mat.  He gently picked it up, licked it and pushed it with his nose like a mother dog does to motivate the baby to move.

Once the tweets and twerps were done he took it to the bedroom and slept with it for at least an hour.  SADLY my camera battery died so couldn't take a picture of them together. Guess Ben is nurturing this crazy chicken he thinks is a baby.  He doesn't play with this one (so far) like as his other toys so perhaps Ben feels paternal with it. 

Now remember folks..... this is a Rottweiler that I adopted when he was 3 years 7 months and I will have him 2 years next month.  He is the love of my life.  Yes, one needs to establish who is the alpha dog and all I have to do is put my hands on my  hips and look at him.  Obviously I got lucky with this magnificent creature.  Other pets might need more instruction.

There are a lot of animals out there for adoption who  might otherwise be euthanized.  My son adopted a Seal Point Siamese cat who is a great pet.

My BEN is another example of a great union of adoption.  Ben loves people, particularly my grandson and is both protective and affectionate.  Ben is a great companion and I feel lucky to have him. 

Sorry to venture away from hooking but just wanted to share my Ben and me.

Have a great low humidity evening to you on the east coast.  YIPPEE.  Open the windows and let the cool dry air flow thru with no A/C.

Saundra

My Boy Ben and Snow

There is no snow on the ground here at this time and lucky to escape the massive snow of the upper north east just recently.  However, we are supposed to get snow this weekend but don't know how much yet.  Sure hope it isn't even close to the several feet everyone else recieved.  

Ben loves snow ~ uh, his momma doesn't.  Last snow which was only maybe 2", I took some pictures of my boy Ben making his own snow cones by the mouthful.  This is one picture where you can see his gaping mouth grabbing up as much snow as he can.  

Now this dog has two water bowls in the house; one in the kitchen and another in the master bathroom so he is close to water at night during sleep.  There is also a bowl of water on the back porch as well as on the deck which gets frozen during low temps; so he isn't dehydrated by any stretch.  He just likes snow cones.

Here is a picture of him licking up the snow instead of gulping down mouthsful.

Obviously it is like a game to him like a kid eating snow as my brother and I did when we were kids.  My brother and I even made 'snowcream', oh what great memories that thought brings back.

So getting back to Ben..... this was a wonderful adoption of a sweet and affectionate Rottie.  He's obviously strong but such a sweet boy and I got lucky.  He was 3 years 7 months when adopted in October 2011.  Big dogs tend to take longer to grow up so he is still a pup at heart and loves to play.  

Thankfully he is great with people, loves my grandson and gets along well with other canines.  In a previous post I showed this wonderful picture of Ben and Phantom (the Rottie down the street) playing and chasing one another.  One day I'd like to do a wide cut hooked piece of this "face Off" .  It is Ben on the left and Phantom on the right.

And here they are getting a treat after they stopped panting and wanted to chill out.  Again, Ben on the left and Phantom on the right.  Ben is 117 lbs and Phantom was bigger but not sure how much he weighs.  I walk him sometimes and he is also a sweetie.

Rottweilers and Pitbulls get a bad rap because of the way they are trained, bred, raised and treated.  I've had Rottweilers before and they were also good and well behaved dogs.

So, if you are interested in adopting an animal, whether it be cat or dog, and never mind what breed, but investigate to see what animal best suits your requirements.  But please consider adoption.  Please tell the adoption location whether you have an apartment, fenced back yard, room to run, whether you like small dog or larger.  Also how much attention the dog would get for walking or playing.  

There are so many animals which are killed each year and many would be make great pets.  If you plan to adopt a large animal ask about it's rehabilitation process.  

Ben didn't need any as his momma works on his minor flaws during our walks.  His major flaw when I adopted him was wanting to kill vehicles and attack their tires.  OMG, this is turning into a book here, sorry.  But with the use of a COLLAR which gives a tone at my command it calms him.  Once he settles down I would give him a tiny treat.  So NOW, when a vehicle drives by when he is on the leash he will sit and wait for the treat rather than pull to chase the vehicle.  

Try adoption no matter what size, breed or if canine or feline.

Please be kind to one another.

Saundra

Ben in his new Playground

Ben was adopted on October 3, 2011 on a Sunday after my last show of the year.  Not knowing his habits and how he'd accept a neighbor dropping in to walk him during the day I decided to not pick him up until after the weekend show and my van was unloaded.  He has been a source of great joy and is a gentle boy even tho he must weigh in about 115 pounds with all  muscle.

He would be almost perfect if it weren't for the fact he hates moving vehicles and wants to chase and bite at the tires.  Yet he loves to ride in the car.  My son says, "...that Ben is only trying to hitch a ride".  Well I laughed at his humor but that can be a deadly bad habit which meant I could never let him loose like I could my other dogs.  My other dear boys and girls were raised from babies and well trained.  Unfortunately the previous 2 years of Ben's life he was either out loose to chase cars, deer, and whatever else, or sequestered to the basement with his older Rottie companion.


So feeling as tho he wasn't totally happy being either on the leash, inside or tethered to a tree when I was outside decided to have a fence put up so I could sit on the deck and we could play ball or just chill in the shade and breeze.  Previously posted was the work in progress of the building of the fence and here is an after picture from the back corner toward the back of the house.

And here is a picture of my boy lazing around in the shade while I'm having a glass of cabernet and hooking on the deck.

I just love this picture.  He is not rolling and scratching his back, he is belly up and chillin'.  Believe it or not, the very first time I met Ben after about 10 minutes he layed on his back to expose his belly and I knew he would be a keeper.  When a dog is submissive like that and showing their vulnerable side they are the ones I want. 

However, that is not always a 100% proven case because I can remember that Bella laid on her back and after 3 weeks she ended up biting me.   Bella lived on the street and maybe she was abused, was definitely near emaciation (as I was told by Majestic Rescue) and she put on 4 pounds since I adopted her in just 3 weeks.  So I believe she was getting her strength back, was becoming the dog she would normally be and when she laid on her back at first meeting she WAS vulnerable and thin then.  I personally feel she was turned around too fast in the rescue program after neutering, change of environment from street, hospital and enclosed area to heal and then to me, etc.  


Believe me when I say you can have great results in pet adoptions and not promoting the breeding mills because I have a wonderful dog.  But be sure to ask questions on  what were the reasons the dog being put in the rescue, was it abused, did it have aggressive behavior, was it emaciated, how was the dog socialized?


Blogger is acting up again and totally understand why some are moving.  I know there are misspelled words here and cannot get spell check to work.  AND, my last post there was white under the print and then I went in  to do an edit to put color under everything so it would look the same.  So we did the Google Chrome for THIS?


Hug your four legged companion and give it or them a kiss from me.  GO pet adoption!


Thanks for visiting..... Saundra

My Boy Ben

It is hard to believe that it has been 7 months since I adopted Ben.  Not even once has he marked anything in the house, absolutely no accidents intentional or otherwise.   I brought him home on October 3rd and this is a picture of him tethered outside with me while doing yard work just one week after adoption.  No, he isn't hooked to a tree all the time and he lives in the house with me.

When I first got him he had lived either loose outside (where he learned to entertain himself by chasing cars and trying to kill tires) or sequestered to the basement with his elder Rottie companion.  He was in good health and wasn't physically abused but was lacking the attention and affection he so wanted.


Ben loves people, particularly kids and loves my grandson.  He doesn't much care for moving bikes either but because he loves my grandson doesn't seem to bother him when Zach is riding one.  He also gets along well with other animals and loves to play with the Rottweiler down the street.


Here he is keeping watch at the living room window ~ I sit and hook to the right of him.

At first I didn't get much sleep because he missed his other surroundings, would whine and pace the bedroom.  Now he knows my habits and when I say, "lets go to bed" he gets off the living room mat and accompanies me to the bedroom where he sleeps like a baby thru the night.


He was a mess to control when I tried walking him and a vehicle was coming by.  Even tho he knows the commands 'sit', 'stay' he had selective hearing.  Ben would leap, snarl and trash about wanting to get to the moving vehicles.  Even tho I would walk him with one of those pronged collars, it was as if he was oblivious of any discomfort when it tightened around his neck.  


Tho I didn't want to, I had to purchase a shock collar.  Thank goodness it had a button for a 'tone' (noise) as well as the shock button.  Luckily I have not had to use the shock because he doesn't care for that sound.  Ben has come a long way and when an approaching vehicle comes now he usually sits without my command and will look at my hand to see if I have the remote in my hand or not.  He knows if he is good and stays that he will get a mini-bone as a reward and if he lunges he gets the tone.  So I'm sure that brain is saying.....hmmm, treat or noise?  And he chooses treat.  

He isn't perfect yet and still am afraid to let him loose because he wants to follow his nose and there are a lot of roaming deer just waiting to be chased by a big black dog. Here is another picture of my handsome boy, but because I tilted my camera (even tho I did the rotation thing) it is on it's side.  My handsome handsome 4 year old boy.

Most definitely I lucked out with Ben, and it was a wonderful change from the experience that I had with Bella.  He sure is a sweet affectionate dog and I am so fortunate to have had the opportunity to adopt him.