Tomorrow is April 1st and we are not liking the joke that Old Man Winter is playing on us with this cold and nasty weather. "Singing in the Frozen Precipitation" just doesn't have the same ring!
One thing is for sure, we are ready for Spring to spring into action. Although it officially began on March 21, the temperatures certainly haven't been spring-like in our neck of the woods. Besides a few daffodils poking their heads through the soil and Robins fluttering about, we haven't seen any indication of the end to winter.
Pissed off at Punxsutawney Phil, Mom has been on vigilant alert for groundhogs raring their ugly heads at the edge of our property. Thankfully for them she hasn't spotted any of the rascally rodents, because I fear that her gun-slinging Annie Oakely side might come out of hibernation should she see one.
You may remember my Boxer friend Sassy Mae, who was severely injured in 2009 and needed extensive veterinary care. So, Roger and I pulled our resources together and held a gourmet biscuit fund drive to help curtail the costs of her vast vet bills. Of course, I was the brains behind the operation while Roger used his dog-given French culinary skills to perfect the recipes.
Sami on the mend after surgery
Unfortunately, we are once again faced with a similar situation. Sami, named for the Good Samaritan who brought her into an ER clinic, is also in need of our help. She was found alongside the road on a very cold and snowy night, suffering from serious injuries after being hit by a car. Attempts to locate her owner have proven futile, so she was turned over to Adopt A Boxer Rescue (AABR) and surgery to correct the break was performed on February 25. You can read her full story on AABR's website.
Aunt Beth Downey, who is fostering Sami until she is fully recovered and available for adoption, reports that she is a very sweet, friendly Boxer girl despite the pain she has endured. Mom and I were fortunate enough to meet Sami when we recently attended the Celtic Classic Dog show in York, PA, and we agree that she is a cutie!
Aunt Beth gives Sami the much needed TLC to recover
Donations to help cover Sami's high medical bills, estimated to be more than $2,500, are desperately needed. If you can help AABR with a tax deductible donation, please note that the donation is for Sami in Maryland. You can submit your donation through PayPal or by check. No donation is too small and all contributions are greatly appreciated.
Thank you for helping us to save Sami and help her find her fur-ever home! Again, please note the donation is for Sami in Maryland.
Well, we pawsatively had a great time at Pawsabilities 2011 last weekend! New this year, our Dog Scout Troop 161 ran the Gambler's Choice Obstacle Course which helped raise money for the Susquehanna Service Dogs (SSD). Mom and Thelma Lou "manned" our troop's booth while Roger dressed as a card shark to help draw in participants.
Stuffed Rowdy, Mom, and Thelma Lou "manning" Troop 161's Booth
Card Shark attempts to lure prey into the Gambler's Choice Obstacle Course
In addition to raising money for the SSD, Dog Scout Troop 161 helped raise awareness of responsible pet ownership, which includes cleaning up after your pets. I say, duh! But you would be surprised at how many owners don't see the need.
Paws up for my fellow Troop Member Marguerite who very politely informed an irresponsible pet owner, who clearly saw her dog urinate on the floor and planned to walk away, that she was responsible for cleaning up after him. Sure, we all get overly excited at times which sometimes includes not being able to control our bodily functions, but that's what our owners are for, right? Heck, Mom and I are well on our way to earning my Clean Up America II Scout badge for picking up after irresponsible owners. I currently have 25 documented piles to date to prove it.
Oh yeah, and Thelma Lou participated in doggy dance freestyle with Fieldwood Instructor Ms. Mary Kutulakis, founder and long-time member of Steppin' Woofs.
Last but certainly not least, we kicked dog butt in the costume contest on Saturday and brought home a big blue ribbon -- something I was never able to do in the conformation ring. Rumor has it that the Triple Threat might even become the official spokesdogs for Pawsabilities 2012. Only time will tell.
How many times are M&D going to dress us in this getup?
Thanksgiving is 8 months away!!!
Accustomed to sporting head dresses and braids adorned with feathers, Native American Squaw Thelma Lou ponders why everyone is looking at her strangely.
Squaw Thelma Lou
One thing is for sure. We were pawsatively tired when we got home.
Exhausted from a great day at Pawsabilities, Newman can only get three paws up!
The two Bullies give eight paws up on the day's events
We can't wait until next year to support this worthy cause!
Boxer bantering in the back room of the local watering hole*
I don't want you to think that I've abandoned my fans. It's just that Mom was in Florida for 10 days, so I was without an editor to review my ramblings before posting for the entire world to criticize. Additionally, we have been busy getting ready for the 15th Annual Pawsabilities to be held this Saturday and Sunday, March 12-13 at the Farm Show Expo Center in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
The the two-day fundraising event, which benefits Susquehanna Service Dogs, will feature numerous Olympic games, the Great Biscuit Bite-Off, where SSD dogs will judge homemade treats, costume contests (ahem!), and a host of other events and activities. Like last year, the event will include performances by the Ultimate Air Dogs, one of the premier dock jumping organizations in the country. If you've never seen a dock diving competition, it's well worth your time. With their short, little legs, I don't think that Roger and Thelma would be contenders in the diving competition and will stick to entering the costume contest.
New for PawsAbilities 2011 is the Gambler's Choice Obstacle Course which will be run by none other than my very own Dog Scout Troop 161. The course contains obstacles that range from easy to difficult, such as going through a tunnel or jumping over a hay bale to retrieving a rubber ducky and scooping up piles of play poop. Each obstacle has a certain point value based on difficulty. You choose which obstacles you and your dog want to complete – but choose wisely! You only have two minutes to rack up as many points as possible.
Do you go for the difficult obstacle worth a lot of points? Or do you complete a bunch of easier obstacles? It's the gambler's choice! As the Gambler says, "You've got to know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em. Know when to walk away and know when to run ( with your tail between your legs!)
____________________
* Photo compliments of GCh. Amity Hall's All About Me, RN, CGC, TT "CJ" and his son, Prizms Tazmanian Devilfire, CGC, RN, NAJ, NA "Taz"
