My Life in Abilene, Texas (with 3 dogs, 2 cats)

Trip to the Kennel

2008-11-24T19:08:00.001-08:00

My poor babies! They went to the dog kennel today for a stay of a day and a night. My daughter and her son, Preston, who is two years old, came for a visit and I didn't feel comfortable enough having three dogs in the house with Preston. They are not used to children at all, and I'm not sure how they will behave. I'll go and get them tomorrow, though, so they can be here for a while with the company to see how it goes.

PetSmart Trip

2008-10-21T08:37:00.001-07:00

Going to Petsmart is usually a ton of fun for dogs, except for one thing that is NOT fun!

Callie, I know you soooooo love to go to PetSmart, but this time you have to stay home with Marlo. Bindi is going to the Petsmart grooming center to get her toenails trimmed today.

So, here's Bindi enjoying her car ride with visions of fun squeeky toys, meeting other dogs, and..............

"Boy, oh, boy is this going to be fun."

Sorry, Bindi, it didn't turn out to be as much fun as you imagined. The best part of the ordeal with getting back into the car and going home and telling Marlo and Callie all about it.

My Dogs don't Cook!

2008-10-17T19:24:00.000-07:00

OK, this isn't my dog, but it could be my kitchen. Kind of looks like it. I wish my dogs could do something constructive in my kitchen besides chasing our cat, Muffy.

Muffy loves to torment the dogs, get them to chase her, then run and hide underneath the sink, or leap up on top of the cabinets near the ceiling.

Hehehe.......they'll never get me up here!

Dogs in the Bed

2008-10-16T09:41:00.000-07:00

My dogs love sleeping on beds, sofas, and soft chairs-----and basically anywhere except on their own doggie beds on the floor.

I have four big comfy dog beds on the floor of my bedroom (even though there are only 3 dogs, the 4 beds idea was to prevent anyone longing for another's bed and to have lots of choices, I guess). None of them actually likes their on-the-floor doggie beds. $200 worth of dog beds and they are hardly used!

Callie has taken to sleeping in my closet lately on the carpeted floor. It's nice and quiet and dark there. Bindi and Marlo are in dog heaven on our big king sized bed. Of course! Why not!

I'll admit, I love them sleeping with me. There is nothing as comforting as having your dog(s) snuggling against you and feeling their warm little bodies vibrating with love all night long.

The late Jimmy Stewart once said, "The truth is that it's just really hard for me to get to sleep without a dog in my bedroom. I once had a dog named Beau. He used to sleep in the corner of the bedroom. Some nights, though, he would sneak onto the bed and lie right between Gloria and me. I know that I should have pushed him off the bed, but I didn't. He was up there because he wanted me to pat his head, so that's what I would do."

Good for you, Jimmy Stewart, may God rest your soul, that you let old Beau stay up on the bed. I always knew you were a good person!

Anxious to GO!!!!!

2008-10-14T16:43:00.001-07:00

BOO!

Somehow, Bindi got left out back on the patio by herself and wanted in. She reminded me of the Big Bad Wolf in the story of The Three Little Pigs trying to get into the house. Callie just stared, trying to figure out what to do for poor Bindi.

What they really were wanting to do, all three of them want to go on their evening walk. Restless dogs can be very demanding!

So, here we all are. They are all harnessed up and trying to pull me down the street like sled dogs. I think I'll let hubby take the reins. He's much stronger!

Recipe from the DIVINE WIND

2008-10-14T09:06:00.000-07:00

Callie, my oldest dog, likes to go on morning walks just with me without our younger two dogs coming along. Since Callie is eight years old, she likes to walk at a slow, leisurely pace. (The younger ones get their turns later every evening, along with Callie, also).

This morning on our walk, Callie and I found a postcard lying on the ground next to the street. I picked it up with the thought of bringing it home to throw away (along with the usual doggie poop bag I carry with me). However, when I looked at the card on the back was a nice picture of a yummy pasta side dish to make with the recipe printed on it. Hmmmmm...........I was VERY interested in this recipe as it was exactly the kind of thing I liked to make-----easy, fast, yet delicious.

As I thought more about it, I realized this coming Sunday is "Potluck Sunday" at the Unitarian Fellowship where my husband and I attend. Everyone brings a dish from home and we have a meal after our informal fellowship meeting. AHA!! PERFECT! This recipe was becoming more of a treasure than what I first realized!

I believe this little card was meant for me to find. Callie's little walks that she loves so much often reveal precious treasures. Once I found a $5 bill neatly folded and lying against a shrubby weed, blown there by the Divine Wind. Many times a special bird feather or a shiny, beautiful stone will be there on my path for me to discover. All are perceived by me as wondrous.

RECIPE FOR THE SACRED DIVINE TORTELLINI ARTICHOKE SALAD:

1-20 oz pkg. tri-colored cheese tortellini (fresh or frozen)

1 - 6oz. jar artichoke hearts (chopped)

2 Roma tomatoes (seeded & chopped)

1 cup white button mushrooms (chopped)

1 cup Italian salad dressing

1 Tbsp. fresh parsley (chopped)

Cook tortellini in boiling salted water according to package directions. Strain, then rinse with cold water. In large bowl, combine pasta, mushrooms and all the veggies. Pour dressing over the entire salad and toss. Add pepper and salt to taste, and garnish with parsley.

Say a gratitude prayer of your own and enjoy!