THANK YOU, ANNIE.

Yes, it has been too long since I have updated Annie's blog! Bridget, thank you for reminding me as Annie has come so far since her first day here at what I call "the Dog Ranch". An example of how far Annie has come, happened just last night. But.. before I share that story, let me put an advertising plug in for BRUSHING YOUR DOGS TEETH! Yes folks, I have graduated to brushing Annie and Tiger's teeth. I think I might have mentioned it before, but it does extend a dog's life on an average of 3 to 5 years so I feel it's certainly worth my time to keep them around longer.

So, here's the story about how far my little Annie has come. Hysterical little dog that keeps me joyful and grateful 24/7. Annie knows that when she gets her teeth brushed, the reward is to go for a walk right after. So last night, I noticed some tartar build up that had appeared (even though I was brushing her teeth) was breaking up and going away with a new product I've been using (it's a green Gel people, it works! Tropic Clean, clean teeth gel). So, I guess Annie picked up on my happiness that this stuff was working on her plaque and tartar build up. I told her she was a good dog and I put her down. She took off with unadulterated joy and ran through the house like a little crazy dog.. it was hysterical! She made loops going from the kitchen to the living room down the hall into a bedroom and back out to do it all over again.. I have never had a dog express their joy like that before. I can't help but think, "HOW FAR YOU HAVE COME FROM THOSE TERRIBLE DAYS OF ABUSE AND NEGLECT, LITTLE LOVING DOG!"

I also, have come to understand the phrase that many people who adopt pets have commented on; that is .. " who rescued whom?" What a treat it is to have this happy little animal as a part of my life. How many times has this little dog brought joy to me when I most needed it and least expected it. Thank you, Annie. You have changed my life for the better in so many ways. I love you, little dog (but you know that, don't you!). I hope you do :)

As for Annie's struggle with weight, she has been working out dilligently on a daily basis. She's got a little routine that starts with her first bathroom break in the back yard. Yes, little Annie, you live to dig! And it's a good thing that I own this property, otherwise, there would be many complaints about all those holes in the back yard now! You dig and dig and dig. I looked at you one day and realized that it was actually a good work out (in addition to our walks) and yes little dog, you do need to loose some weight! The winter has been good to you with all of your treats, not to mention your penchant for people food (that I can't seem to resist indulging you with!).

It is hard to believe that it's been almost a year since our little Ginger, passed. Annie, thank you for helping me "move on". Ginger will always be a part of my heart, she was another well loved Jack Russell Terrier. You and she have the same spunk, intelligence, devotion and loyalty.. to me. I have a lump in my throat just thinking about her, my little bean. So I heard something today that made me think of you Ginge; it went something like this.. a part of a poem, I think.. "I can mourn her death with crying or I can celebrate her life with joy.." I know it was more than that but wow, did that make me think of you, Ginny! Ok, this is Annie's blog, can't steal her thunder but it's always good to recognize her roots in you! If it weren't for you, there would not be an Annie. And since I'm doing this.. if it weren't for two other Jack Russell's (neighbors dogs) there never would have been a Ginger! They are Scooter, who used to run out and jump all over me (in my suits, no less..) every morning when I would leave for work.. and she would be there every night to greet me, when I would come home. Those were hard years, and she brought me a lot of joy. She was hit and killed on he main road in the development. I will never forgive the neighbors for letting that special little dog run the neighborhood like that which ultimately cost her, her life. :( That was almost 20 years, hard to believe, I am honored to give tribute here, she deserves it). The other shout out, goes to BUSTER.. little Scooters replacement after she was killed. Again, they didn't learn.. little Buster was doomed and met the same fate that Scooter did. Both Scooter and Buster will always be remembered by ME! Happy little dogs. Okay, enough with the shout outs for past little pup's, back to the land of the living!

Annie, you have taught me so many things. For example, I do my best to live in the moment. Also, my own tendency to dwell on the negative and hardships is all but impossible to indulge with you and your little funny antics keeping me going in a positive direction. So, that brings me to the next point I wanted to document. Yes, Annie.. you have big plans that I really attribute to your growth and healing because I never would have thought you were capable of this when you first came here. I am now exploring "Therapy Dog" programs for you. We need to do some training but we'll get there. That is my ultimate goal for you, little dog. The joy you bring me every day, I think you could share with the elderly or the sick to enrich their lives and I think it would be something you would love and have fun. That's what my goal is for you. To have such a wonderful life Annie, that you completely forget those terrible first two years of hardships.

To anyone that reads this, thanks for giving Annie's blog your time. She's well worth it!

Annie, you have come so far!

Annie, my girl! I am so happy with how far you have come. Right now, you are chewing on one of your favorite things in life, a rawhide chew with beef. You love them. But.. when I first gave you one, you would guard it until you were exhausted growling. For hours, you would growl. I wouldn't take it away because I didn't want you to think you had anything to fear. I look at you now and you are happily chewing away at it. Progress!

You still let me know that you have a way to go though, huh? Yesterday, when I put the kayak paddle together and you ran in fear.. made me sad. It made me wonder what terrible memory you have of something that the paddle reminded you of. I am sorry you had to endure those hardships, little pup. You are so dang cute, I have no idea why someone would even think to hurt you or be mean and cruel to you or any innocent animal. Whoever it was, they were thorough. They have left their mark on you. But believe this little cute dog, you have my commitment to ensure the rest of your life is without hardship and I will work my hardest to make you forget those very bad times.

You still wake up with nightmares, snarling and growling at some unknown trauma you are trying to fend off. I can always tell when you are feeling stress or getting nervous, you look at your little nub of a tail and growl or bark angrily. No idea what that is about either. Who did this to you?

So, here's the good news, little rescue dog of mine. When you first came here, your anger was so bad, I had to get a dog trainer in to deal with it. Guess what? You have come so far that I bet 90% of your day is happy and terror free. What do I love about you, Annie? I love the way you follow me around, I love the way you cuddle up to me and crawl under the covers when it's cold, I love the way you fight your way in between me and poor Tiger when tries to invade your space. I even love the way you watch TV. And dare I forget, I love your little shaggy furry coat. I never expected your fur to grow out like it has but you remind me of a little shetland pony. Most of all, Annie.. I love the way you greet me when I come home. You run up to me at the door, wait to be acknowledged and then run to the kitchen. Dang cute. And what about when you are super happy and run through the house at 90 miles an hour. I love that most of all because I know that you have totally let go of that awful past of yours and you are truly enjoying your life with me! I love you, little dog.




Never did I realize how much you would change my life, you really have and I am forever grateful to you for that. Here you are enjoying another treat, SNOW! I realized last winter with all the blizzard snow, that you never knew snow before. Well, this is your second winter in the northeast, you sure know what snow is now! And you even have a new Cable Knit Irish sweater to keep warm on our cold winter night walks! I know, it barely fits because I have such a hard time keeping you on a diet! We'll blame it on poor Tiger! Well, she likes treats too, doesn't she?



So, here's the last picture I'm going to put up on this post, I have to put it up. What did that lady say to us on that one walk at Piney Orchard? Didn't she say something about how cute your little butt was? Well little dog, she was right, I actually think it's more your bobtail but you sure do look cute from every angle, here's the proof! Love you, Annie!!

Congratulations Annie - It's been ONE year!

Where does the time go? I can't believe that I am writing Annie's first anniversary post. What a year it has been! LOL. This is what I would refer to as a true Tiger year; hardships abound, unpredictable, tumultuous but oddly productive. That about sums it up. People in the hospital, deaths in the family (3), my little Ginger moving on, new jobs, challenging people, I have to admit, I will be glad to see 2011 sweep in the year of the Rabbit (of course, who know's if this will be a better year?!). Enough about Astrology, this is little Annie's Anniversary blog.

How did she spend her Anniversary? Very nicely, it started out with company coming over on Christmas Eve, Annie always loves company. I was going to pen them in and then decided not to as it was just family members that she knew well. She loves Nomy and Ampop.






Christmas Day, Annie had alot of fun sleeping in. Tossing and turning, stretching, readjusting her position and then falling back to sleep. When she got up, she was very excited and let me know quickly that she needed to go out to take care of business. She and Tiger both ran to the back door, I opened it and they ran down the deck steps, sliding all the way as it was covered with a thin patch of ice, they did their business. They were getting ready to run back up the steps and Annie ran over to the leaves on the side of the yard. Apparently, she had heard something, she jumped on the pile of leaves and kept bouncing up and down. I have no idea what was under there but Tiger had to get in on the act too. She did. Before I knew it, both dogs were pouncing on whatever poor creature had buried itself underneath the leaves. I called them off, of course that only last for a second but it was long enough for whatever it was to get away. They were both definitely diappointed at the mystericous prey getting away.

A year ago, what a nightmare her first day was. I have spent the past year trying to show her that life can be good. I know that she has bonded with me. When she is up on the bed with me and Tiger comes in, Annie will run to my face and start giving me little dog kisses, then she growls at Tiger. I guess, she has adopted me as much as I have her. What a wonderful little dog. Many times over the past year, I wish I had her from the time she was a puppy, she would be a different dog. She honestly suffers from PTSD, I am working with her on that too. Time, hopefully, will heal all of her suffering behaviors. I feel bad about that because she is such a sweet dog that only wants to be loved.

Here's to you, Annie. I honestly believe I am a better person for knowing you. There is a say among dog rescuers and it goes something like this.. "my rescue dog rescued me..." something like that. I really feel that way about Annie. Thank you, Annie. I love you and I promise to ensure the rest of your life more than makes up for the hardships you have endured in those first two years. I promise you that, little one.

Becky, my sister, was here on Christmas Eve. She said, "I see what you mean, there is a sadness in her." Yes Bek, that is exactly what I mean. This little loving dog has been abused and is always afraid of what is coming next. I have no idea how to fix it other than to shower her with love and compassion and pray that it works to get her over those bad times. I just wish she could forget them.

Congratulations, Annie!

The Three Amigo's - Catching up!

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Tribute To My Ginger

Ode to an old friend, I miss you, my best friend of 15 and a half years.. what do you say? I haven't written in this blog for almost three months because Ginger got really sick shortly after the last entry and at exactly 1035am on Wednesday, August 4th, 2010, she took her last breath and passed away. Ginger had been diagnosed with Leukemia (Chronic type)almost two years ago. I took her to the canine oncologist in Annapolis and bought the prescribed chemo meds. I couldn't go through with it after seeing the suffering that my own mom went through when she fought off breast cancer. Chemo is no joke, people. The vets were telling me that dogs handle it better, etc. Yeah right, do dogs speak? Regardless, I just couldn't do it and put it in God's hands. I knew there would come a time when I would need to make a decision, I was hoping that I wouldn't have to and that Ginger would do that on her own. Well, she was such a little slugger, she surprised me by living much longer than the vets had expected. She suffered through seizures that were brought on by the leukemia robbing her brain of oxygen. In the beginning, the seizures were few and far between but she ended up having them almost every time she exerted herself. She was my shadow for the past 15.5 years. My third ankle, my best friend. I could write a book about her and I have in my own journal, this is Annie's venue so I will remain true to that. I had to mention Ginger's passing on though. If it weren't for Ginger, there would be no Annie or Reed, my sister's Jack Russell Terrier.

When she passed away, she took some of me with her. I do not handle death well and that is the only thing that I do not like about dogs, they die and leave us. I keep thinking this will be the first Christmas in 16 years that she and I aren't together. How is it fair that life goes on and she's not here? The vet came to the house, I couldn't have her last memory in a cold vets office with all the noise and chaos. She'd reached a point where she hated to go to the vets after all the blood tests with her Leukemia. Dr. Golden was very kind when he arrived but before he got here, I regretted your last night's sleep, very rough but it showed me I had made the right decision. You ended up in the corner of the room with your nose buried in the carpet, your breathing was labored. We went outside, you did great and took a quick whiz. We stayed out there for quite a while. I don't think you knew what was going on but you knew you were with me and that is all that has ever really mattered to you. I made you scrambled eggs, you wouldn't eat. I did give you some cheese, I was glad to see you eat a little of it. Then.. the Dr's car was in the driveway. He stayed a long time, asked if I was ready and I said yes. I gave you one last hug. He explained what was going to happen, I looked at you and you looked scared Ginny, kinda confused. It broke my heart. He ended up trying to stick you with that needle three times. You scurried up into my arms for protection, I held you while he finally got it in. I feel terrible about that but I knew it had to be done, I'm sorry little peanut. You fell asleep almost instantly. You were so sound asleep, you snored and snored loud, I told the Doc that you hadn't slept that soundly in a long long time. Finally, he gave you the second shot and your breathing stopped instantly. My heart shattered right then and there. I looked up and noted the time 1035am, August 4th. I will never forget that. After he left, I brought your little buds out one at a time, Tiger gave you a couple of sniffs and laid down, Caesar sniffed you too, your little son and ran off up the steps. Annie, the one that I know you did not like, truly grieved.. I guess it's because maybe she has seen death before and Tiger and Caesar haven't, Annie went into the front bedroom and did not come out for two days. She has not, as of yet, used your bed to sleep in. Tiger and Caesar do sometimes, not often. We all miss you, Ginny but Annie hurt. I was honestly surprised by that. She loved you, too.

I first met you when you were six weeks old, you were already potty trained. My little over achiever :) You were born in a little Rancher house to an older retired couple that loved Jack Russell's. Your mom was 9 and your dad was 11. The man had built them the biggest dog house that I have ever seen; a converted shed with many floors to play in. The lady gave me a pick, you or your sister.. there were only two of you, you were the tiny one, I picked you. You didn't need a leash, you never left my side, even outside you always stayed with me. I always felt that you and I were meant to be. Thank you for sharing your life with me, little Ginny, my Binnio, my Gin Gin, your life was a special one. Heaven is now a brighter place because you are there.

Rest in PEACE my little one, I love you. Ginger, aka. .jelly bean, peanut, boo.. and many other little names she acquired over the years .. March 12, 1995 - August 4, 2010. :( ..until we see each other again.

Annie Being Thoughtful, penny for your thoughts!

How did I miss this picture? I took this of Annie back during the first blizzard. It was the first day that the sun came out after the storm. I don't think I have ever seen a more thoughtful picture of a dog as this one. Annie is obviously deep in tought, I would love to know what she was thinking. That was months ago. I pray she realizes that she is in her forever home now.

This past week we had overnight company for a few days. Annie always amazes me at how much she loves people. She ran up the steps when my mom and dad went up for bed. She jumped on the bed with them and refused to get down. Cracked me up. Maybe she knows that is the gene pool that I come from, who know's. She enjoyed having them here and I think misses them. She very much lives in the moment.

Nothing gives me more joy than to see her unbridled happiness. She literally kicks up her heels and runs around the house in little leaps. Other times, she seems sad. My parents witnessed her having a nightmare. They commented on how sad that was, I agree. I wish I could erase those memories out of her little brain. She's a wonderful dog and the post pup for Rescue Dogs. Can you tell how much I love her? Good dog, Annie :).

CONGRATULATIONS, ANNIE!! SIX MONTHS!!

Little Annie, it has been six months! Wow, I hope you feel like you are a member of the family. I am starting to think that loyalty is a Jack Russell character trait, Ginger is the only other dog I have had that has been as loyal as you, little Annie.

You have come so far. When you came, you had serious behavior issues. I have seen dogs dream before but never wake up from nightmares snapping at everything in sight. You attacked other dogs and tried to kill the "dogs" on the television. Those issues broke my heart and made me feel bad for you but now I realize, what ever bad things happened to you won't ever happen again. I won't let it. I think you realize that too. At least I hope you do.

You are great when it comes to grooming, you can tell that someone has taken a lot of time with you. I think that was one plus from all the time you spent at the rescue kennel. You are still working on losing weight but you acted like you were starving when you came here, I couldn't have that so I know I made sure you were never hungry (and you gained FIVE pounds!). My fault. So, now you and your doggy sisters get true people food; Chicken, veggies, rice, ground beef -- you're doing ok. You've lost 3 of the 5 pounds you've gained.

One thing I can tell you little dog, you got me hook, line and sinker. But you always did. I remember that first week, I was sure I had made the biggest mistake of my life. Someone suggested, send her back.. I could never do that. I wish everyone felt as strongly as I do about this, dogs are not disposable they are a part of the family, a permanent part.

That is the hidden message of this post, folks. Keep your dogs close, they are a part of your family. Today, I watched Marley and Me, surrounded by my own dogs. Marley was definitely a member of the Groghan family. What a tribute to the patience man has with his dogs and the love a dog will reward you with in return.

In honor of Annie's six month anniversary, I want to quote something I heard John Groghan say in Marley and Me today, "a dog does not care about what kind of car you drive, what neighborhood you live in or how popular you are, you simply give a dog your heart and the dog gives you his in return." That is not a direct quote I am sure but what a great statement of the bond between humans and dogs. Thanks for reading! Annie is doing great. :)