Ahhhhh

Friday at last

Whadda you get

When you combine a lot of Oregon mud...

With an innocent beauty like this?

Why a Flo-jean print, of course!

When good boys go bad

Mickey was ours from the very first day of his life. As an adorable four day old puppy, Karen held him in the palm of her hands. 

He had almost perfectly symmetrical black patches on a snowy white body and as a young pup although slightly shy, he was very sweet.

He grew up and went off to the races. Clearly just a pretty boy, he never raced. Instead he opted for fame and fortune by posing for Cowdog magazine.

First, he was the cover dog.

Then, he became cow mate of the month, streaming his beautiful, pulsing body edge to edge across the centerfold.

Home at last, Mickey misses the big action of bright lights and city streets.

And the recessive greyhound "cushion destruction" gene has emerged.

RIP little cushion.

February's Pin-up Girl

The Flo Zone is how we fondly refer to her.

Where ever Flo wants to be, she is. What ever Flo wants, she gets. She is the master at getting her way.

When she wants to sleep with us, she steps onto the bed and plops over on top of me. Gravity eventually brings her back in touch with the bed leaving me a total of six inches to sleep on. Likewise on the couch. I may have a small portion in the corner, but her favorite place to lay is right in my lap. 

Her world is the Flo Zone.

New beds, part deux

Always a novelty, new beds attract the attention of all of the dogs. Danny watched as each of the smaller girls tried out the new beds.

Talley's butt hung off, but Danny could see that she fit pretty well.

Roxy was able to snuggle in quite perfectly.

Maddie's nose hung out of the new bed, but overall she fit quite well.

And Jori, known as the premier snuggler of the garden, fit perfectly.

Not wanting to be out done by the silly girls, Danny tried again. Everything fit, well everything except his butt, his head and his legs.

And at last, Danny may have found the perfect, or at least as perfect as he could, way to lay in the new beds.

Oregon by Greyhound • The Gallon House Bridge

The Journey Gallon House Bridge

Location Silverton, Oregon • LAT 45° 01' 55" N  LON 122° 47' 55" W

Date February 22, 2009

Weather 48°, overcast and starting to rain

Distance 13 miles

The name Gallon House was due to the bridge's use as a "pigeon drop" for liquor at the north entrance. Operators at a liquor dispensary nearby sold "white lightening" whiskey by the gallon to Silverton residents. At the time, Silverton was "dry," not allowing liquor to be sold in town, while Mt. Angel was "wet."

Source: oregon.com

Crystal would like to give the bridge and the afternoon drive a 4 paw rating.

Happiness is a journey, not a destination

And baby what a ride we had!

I remember the day so well.  A co-worker told me that greyhounds would be available for adoption at a local store. I didn't know anything about greyhounds, but on a whim I loaded up the family on that cold December day and away we went.

I carefully wrapped the book Retired Racing Greyhounds For Dummies and placed it under the tree after reading it cover to cover. I knew there was going to be a greyhound in my future. On New Years Day, 2002 we drove out to the coast and picked you out. Just like the book said, I waited until I could take a few days off for maternity leave before I brought you home.

Home life was a little scary at first. It took you a long time before you would walk across the tile flooring, but it was OK, because you had found a way around it. My only request was that you would be good to the Italian Greyhounds, and you were best friends from the very beginning.

You discovered the couch right away and then before I knew it, you were crawling into bed to snuggle between us. You were such the lover, but please help us if we tried to move you when you were sound asleep. You did have quite the sleep/space aggression thing going. Not to worry sweet boy, we would work with you.

It was many thanks to you that I was introduced to greyhound fostering, and then promptly failing greyhound fostering. Blender came into our lives just a few short months after you came home. She was scared of everything and you and Holly helped her to build her confidence. She is now one beautiful and happy dog.

It was all thanks to you that I was introduced to greyhound adoption and I quickly jumped into becoming a volunteer. Many greyhounds have happy homes thanks to you. But perhaps the biggest journey you took me on was a fork in the road I didn't even know was there. For a short time we fostered two more beautiful black greyhounds, Murphy and Bentley. We found them a home with a wonderful new mommy and she had an acre for them to run on. I frequently took you over to play on the acre and then, I moved over to the acre.

Sadly, I left you with your dad and Megan, but I knew you would be fine and still the happiest dog alive. You ventured onto many a hiking trail with your dad. You got a little car sick, but you loved the adventure.

And then, along with many of life's twists and turns, you were back in our lives. Always a happy boy, you found the couch and settled in.

You loved the acre. You ran and played as if it was always meant for you.

You were without a doubt one of the most beautiful boys in world. I never realized how white your face had gotten until I looked back at some of the old pictures. Your amber eyes against your black and white face could charm anyone.

Happy happy Fonzi dawg. I will remember you forever for just being so happy and always ready to play.

I never saw this coming. In my mind you were going to live forever, happy, healthy and vibrant. I didn't even get you into the Double Digit gang. Nine years old was way to young to lose you. But you will forever run in our hearts. 

And you have a whole pack waiting to play with you in the rainbow garden.

Fonzi aka Burning Bliss • October 4, 1999 - February 10, 2009

Yippee! Costco has new beds

This doggie fits!

And this doggie doesn't.

But he still finds the new bed just right.

MIA

The moms still seem to be missing in action, but they'll be back soon.

It's important to enjoy every day to it's fullest

Fonzi October 4, 1999–February 10, 2009

AHHHHHHHH, mama

Kick back and relax. Your time is here.

Now we look forward to new adventures.

*

Woo Hoo! You made it.

Now, put your keys on the desk and show 'em your best side.

Time to start your new job.

Lookie mom

I think I see the finish line!

One more day, you can do it.

*

Oh dear, mother

Are bottom line rules leaving a bad taste in your mouth too?

Two days. You can do it!

*

Soon mommie

You too will be rolling in the grass giggling.

Three days and counting.

*

Umm Mom...

You haven't lost your mind yet, have you?

Only four days. Woo Hoo!

OK mom

You walk up to them with a real serious look on your face, like this, and you say, "Yes, I really do give a crap."

Five daaaaaaayyyyyyyssss.

*