I am not sure

that even my shock collar will keep me awake through your story, but you can try. -Bea

In the ZONE...

Ah, today was a beautiful day. I left my gorgeous babies in the house to rest while I went for a run. I put on my new running shoes;  they felt like a million bucks on my feet. I put my cool running glasses on.  I had my iPod playing Rihanna Birthday Cake as I took off up the long driveway from my house.

I gain steam as I head up the hill. I have the road all to myself, feeling bold and confident, full of life.

As the superior being in my house, I left the furry ones behind so I could go for a "real run".  And it felt great.

I am in the zone. At one with nature, trees, light, wind, grass, and squirrels as I run by it all. I am taking it in, smiling, marveling at my own speed. I feel great.  This was a perfect idea, to sneak away for some "me" time.

Just as I am reaching my runner's high, I felt something breeze past me. It was Sam. What the...?  He was naked, not even his necklace was on. He (boxer) ripples like a horse when he runs and effortlessly leaves me in his rear view mirror.  He is out for a sprint and oh so happy.   Next I see Buddy. He is running past me now too, as if I am barely moving. He runs like he is playing leap frog at full speed, one leg flies off to one side, the other does the same thing.  Odd little screwed up run, all 21 lbs of him, and he is kicking my ass.  Snorting the whole way as Boston Terriers do.

Shanti is on her own mission. She chooses not to run with mom. So she blazes past me, to show that she can, and off she goes into the woods to play "hide and you will never catch me again'.  I collect the two boys after a moment of despair, and run back home.  As I get there, Maisy has gotten out too, but chose not to embarrass me on my "run of superiority".  Seems they knew I left and they opened the gate.  I have witnessed this before when I do not lock, barricade and bungee cord the gate.  They lift the lock in place and hit the gate, flinging it wide open.The four of them go out flying like the start of a horse race. Elated to be out running free.

Smiles on their faces. I swear.

I get everyone back in, Shanti came back for a neighbor. I am not good enough for her to return to, you see.

I shut and locked the gate. My high was interrupted and not to be repeated this day. No one seemed sorry, only glad to have momma home with them.  The horses are back inside the gate, and all is well.

Sweet, aren't they?

Mother and adopted son.....

Security is on high alert.  Guard stance is assumed.  No one dares to enter the boxer dog zone.

"Don't worry mom. We got this place covered....unless it gets ugly." - Sam and Maisy.

If they do get frightened, they will fly through the doggie door and come hide behind me.  I know I will never be attacked alone- my babies will be right behind me, rooting for me all the way!

The alarm code is....

Uh, WOW. Thanks for the treats stranger.  My humans aren't home yet, but you can go ahead inside and have a look around. Let me know if you need to know where anything is hidden. Otherwise I will be out here enjoying the snacks you brought. -  Dixie

Come here. I want to smell your butt!

You know I have to do it, so hold still please. - Bea to Zoey

When Buddy met the wheel barrow for the first time....

I thought I would write a little about a sweet Boston Terrier that came to me blind, lived here for 2 months in a strange place....and then got his eyesight back with lens replacement for cataract surgery.  His name is Buddy Love.

First, blind dogs adjust very well and do not feel sorry for themselves.  As their humans, we should not feel sorry for them, but help them as needed.  I taught Buddy to leash walk by leading him between Shanti and Sam. It was so cute, he would bump into Sam to the right, and Shanti to the left and this is how we "kept it between the ditches".    When he roamed the yard, he would have Sam beside him to help guide. Sam became a big brother and a seeing eye dog without ever knowing.

On his first days here, Buddy would take one day to explore a room or a portion of the yard. I would see him walk slowly to avoid injury over a fraction of my yard and I guess he was learning it/getting comfortable with everything.  Soon, he knew his way around the house and yard, and all the objects. Fortunately for Buddy, I am a creature of habit and move nothing in my yard or house. Furniture sits in the same spot. Same as last year. Same as next year.  You know the type. So I was good for Blind Buddy.

While he could not see, he loved rides. He would stick his nose out the window and take in all the smells. He would feel his way around the inside of the truck and smell the other dogs when close.  Now that he can see, when we go for rides or walks, I have to be much more careful as he can see other dogs, squirrels and deer to chase.  He is tempted to jump off the golf cart or whatever is moving, excited at the new visual world.

This is Buddy riding beside me in the cart with Maisy (too old to run). The other two dogs are off to the left, running along side us riders.

When he slowly started to regain his vision after surgery, I was touched. This was a first for me....a blind dog regaining his sight.  The second day back from the vet, I saw him LOOKING around my kitchen for the first time. He was taking it all in, very slowly and deliberately, staring at the cabinets and dog bowls (or maybe my dirty floors). Before he got his sight back, I would tap the dog bowl and water bowl so he knew where they were placed.  I was learning with him, to be a better dog leader.  I would tap objects as I would walk by so he would know to go around them. I would kick things out of his way so he would not step on them and get frightened like sticks, pine cones, etc.

After about a week, I was working in the yard and had the wheel barrow out.  Buddy came running up to me (still could not see that great), saw the wheel barrow and backed off, as if to say "WTF is THAT"?  He could now see things that he liked and did not like. And he had to once again adjust to all the new things at my house (foster home).  He was so cute and did so many funny things when blind. I sometimes wonder if I am going to hell for making fun of a blind dog.  Nah. We laughed together.

I smile when I think of how he learned to maneuver up and down the steps. I think he had them counted.  And how he would run to me when I called, and run right PAST me, so happy to be out running at all.  He could hear his ball, but could not find it. He would bump into the other dogs all the time. They did not know Buddy was blind and would move all over the place.  And they remained patient when he jumped out of a chair and on them, or bumped into them to get his bearings when walking.

Now that he sees close to normal, he plays more. He is more confident. And I am glad modern medicine could give him his sight back at such a young age. He is a proud, sweet dog. Same as before.

Today he runs on his own. along side his brother and sister, often leading, since he can see the way.

Woman, can't you see how tired I am after my long play date?

Please just let me sit in my favorite chair without you hassling me.  And while you are up, bring me my dinner and a drink. - Buddy

PS- Your clocks are wrong. You need to fix those too.