Learning to stay

Some days are just easier than others, you know that. When you really want something, really, really want something it can seem like forever before you get it. The more you learn patience and how to let go the easier it gets. And so Elsie is learning about patience and waiting.

Elsie is still very underweight so she is very motivated by food. She learned to sit in a matter of minutes. Staying took a bit longer but she got it. I think she watched Flora, an old pro at this, for hints on what to do. I never asked her to look at me before I release her, but Flora does. Now, each time, Elsie gives me those eyes. I never make her wait very long because I know that she is so very hungry.

Elsie will eat just about anything. In the morning she loves to eat some fruit and lately that has been fresh mangoes. Being a mostly vegetarian dog gives Elsie a wide palate. She does eat raw eggs from our rescued hens and occasionally gets some cheese if it falls on the floor. One of her favorite things is seitan, or vital wheat gluten, or wheat meat. This meat alternative has over 3 times more protein ounce for ounce than muscle tissue from a cow, and it is cruelty free. I love animals, all animals. I cannot feed my pups a cruel meal. This is my path and obviously theirs since they chose to live here. This is not to say that Elsie hasn't been out hunting the ground squirrels and chipmunks that are now appearing, but that is part of her prey drive. She has yet to catch one.

Please enjoy a cruelty free meal at least once a week. The other animals will thank you for being compassionate. Namaste - Elsie

Post surgery

Elsie and I made the trek to Reno on Wednesday for her spay surgery. Everything went fine. She still has some mites so we are continuing on with her Cool the Blood herbs and baths (after some healing). As for being quiet and calm, well that just isn't on her agenda. A mild pain reliever has her feeling like she can go for hours and hours. Yesterday her brothers and sister went on a long walk with their dad. Elsie so wanted to go but they were going down a creek and then out towards Mono Lake. We didn't want Elsie to get an infection or to rip any stitches so she and I stayed home.

When you get surgery at Lakeside Animal Hospital they put a t-shirt on you. Elsie loves her doctor there Dr. Diana Drumm.

Here is Elsie in bed with her dad, Jim, and CV. Elsie and CV let us have part of the bed at night.









On a sad note Elsie's oldest brother, Ares, crossed over on early Monday morning. Elsie spent some time with Ares before and afterwards. I am sure she was telling him that she would try to be the best dog so that I wouldn't be sad. She is doing a good job so far, as is the rest of the pack.
I never believe that we ever "lose" someone. They just go back home from where we all came from. Pure Love. They are always here for us to talk to whenever we feel the need. They always respond but it is up to us to be open enough to hear them. It is the same way here in physical form, but sometimes there are too many distractions here, or we don't believe.
Be open, believe, have faith. Keep going, Ares would say to me, but don't forget to take a walk in the sunshine with your pals.
May your spring days be filled with sunshine and wonderful walks.
Namaste. Elsie

The Big Day

Yesterday we made the trip to Mammoth to see Lynn at Tailwaggers and to get a bath. Tailwaggers has a nice set up to wash your dog with an elevated tub and hand held sprayer. When I said "tub, tub" to Elsie she looked up at the tub not quite sure about getting up there. I showed her the ramp and had her run up it. She resolutely stood there while I soaped her up and got her clean. Afterwards Lynn gave her a treat and we bought many more. I think that my dogs prefer her treats to mine.

Tomorrow is a big day for Elsie. We are going to Reno to have her spayed, or at least that is the plan. She will be almost a year old. I have been on the road so much since February that this is my first opportunity to get her to the vet for this. It will be a very long day. I am not sure how Elsie will be afterwards. Flora was kind of slow the first few days after her spaying. Reiki tonight for Elsie and for her vet.

Product shots

I am currently on the road, again, but before I left I took a few pics of Elsie doing one of her favorite things.

Yep, she can clean out a jar of peanut butter better than most. She only gets organic nut butters and the flavor this day was Trader Joe's crunchy peanut. She is also a connoisseur of almond butters.

If she was a human she could try out for the part of Oliver Twist "Please sir, may I have some more?"

I will be gone for a total of 3 weeks. Jim keeps me updated on the goings on with the pack. I dislike being away sometimes but someone has got to earn some biscuit money (or in Elsie's case peanut butter). By the way, she did not eat that whole jar in one sitting. We have been packing her Kong with it and then putting the Kong in the freezer. Life is so yummy. - Elsie

New Hair!!!

I had been away from home on a trip for almost 2 weeks and all I can say is WOW at Elsie's new hair!! When she got here over a month ago her throat area was just skin but now she has a nice coat of new fur. It is so soft and the pustules are almost all gone now! Her dad did a good job of taking care of her.







Here is another pic of Elsie after I woke her up from her morning nap in the sun.

It is amazing what some love and good food will do to help heal. Elsie feels so good that she has taken to counter surfing. Now she has to learn that having all four feet on the floor is a good thing. She is smart and will learn quickly.

"Thank you again for letting me live. Don't forget to spend some time in the sun. It will make you happy!" - Elsie

Home

I have a new home, and it is here. My foster dad said I could stay (my mom said that earlier but she wanted dad to say it officially). They say that I will live with them forever but that I do have to learn some rules. I am so happy I could just counter surf all day!!! Oh, wait, I'm not supposed to do that.

Sorry there are no new pictures as my mom is on the road. She says that she does this often and that I have to get used to it. Hm, it means more room on the bed for me! Plus. It means that she isn't here to snuggle with. Minus. I could go on but I think that I will just look at the pluses for now. I am so happy!!!

A number no more

Perhaps this should have been posted earlier but I just got around to taking a pic of Elsie's shelter collar.

 

A dog in a large shelter is no more than a number. Maybe the staff can remember what the dog looks like but mostly they are a number. When you call to check on the status of a dog they ask for the id number. There are just too many to make it personal. Our local shelter is different. The number is secondary to their name. Most of the time you wouldn't even know they had a number.

Today marks the third week that Elsie has been out of the shelter. She has never really been 4229490 to me. Originally she was CC, the name her previous people had given her. She needed a new name to help her on her new journey. "Elsie" came to me on the drive to the shelter to pick her up and transport her. Elsie/LC (LanCaster). Close enough that she might respond, but when said with the intent of love behind it would bring her another step further. Further away from her old life and further along her path to her new one. Elsie has made many steps in these past few weeks. She has left her paw print on my heart.

Game On!

So much fun this morning. CV and I played, and played, and played. Even Ares joined in for a bit. Mom didn't even mind that we messed up the bed.

Wait, a camera? Photo op!

Sometimes it is best to be a bystander.

I don't need to be right on the couch.

I am not ashamed to say that I love the couch. Next to the bed it is my favorite place to sleep. And I am not opposed to sharing, after all, CV and Flora were here first.

                                     Flora                    Elsie                           CV

Sometimes there is not enough room on the couch for all of us. I am a smart girl and figured out a solution to this problem:

On a health update, mom says that I am starting to get my hair back in places. Mostly it is growing in on my neck and chest. Now if only these blistery bumps would go away.At least they don't itch. Also, my cough is almost gone. I am one happy pup. - elsie

Riding with my older brother

Elsie here. I got to go to town today in the truck with my oldest brother Ares. Ares used to go on errands with my foster mom until I arrived. Mom wasn't too sure if the rest of the pack would accept me by myself so she started taking me instead. Well, today we both got to go to town and then to a neighbors house. I met John and Marianne but I was in the truck so I wasn't too sure about them. They smelled like dog people and some other smell that I can't identify. Smells big.

Anyways, I like Ares a lot. He will almost play with me when he feels well enough to. He has some lumps in his throat that mom says is lymphoma. She treats him holistically and says that Ares teaches her to live each day, be in the the now. I kind of understand. I am starting to not remember much of my past life and I have only been here for almost 2 weeks.

This is my oldest brother Ares. He is 15 years young. My mom doesn't know how much longer he will live so they just take each day as it comes.

I try to get him to play with me. The other dogs here have yet to warm up to my puppy charms.

Ares likes to go everywhere with mom. He always gets shotgun. I like to lie down while the rolling couch is moving but Ares kind of gets in my way. We'll work it out.







I am really liking it here. Thank you again for saving my life and the lives of other dogs that don't look so perfect.
elsie

Things that go bump in the night

It has been rather boring here weather wise. Elsie has been enjoying the calm days, though they are cold, with plenty of snow still on the ground. On our walks she likes to leap over some of the snow that is on the side of the road. On the other paw she will walk on it just fine.

Last night the wind picked up and the shingles on the roof started to flap. The other dogs are used to it, but not our youngster. She was ready to take on the intruder. After a little bark session it was back to sleep and her signature snore. Not very loud but there nonetheless. In the morning we woke up to a nice bit of snow which always makes for interesting walking. All of the dogs were sliding across the ice sheets that they forgot were there, now covered in the white stuff. The squalls came and went but it was never clear.

I took this photo this afternoon while it was snowing. Usually you can see Mono Lake from here. Times like this the basin is incredibly quiet. All you here is the occasional snow plow in the distance and the birds in the trees.






Elsie didn't have a rinse last night. My bad. It was late and I just couldn't see getting her wet before bed. So tonight I did it early, before their dinner. I usually have to put a collar on Elsie to get her into the bathroom for her rinse. Tonight, to my surprise, as I came out with a collar, she trotted into the bathroom and when asked, jumped right into the tub. She wasn't wagging her tail but seemed to say that she just wanted to get it over with. Her skin is looking much better. The inflammation and redness is greatly reduced. As a bonus she smells much better afterwards. The healing of her body progresses as does her spirit.

Good night and Namaste from Elsie.

Walks and Food

Above: Elsie takes time out from our walk to smell the sagebrush.

Left: Elsie and Flora checking out the salt grass.








After a 1/2 mile walk today Elsie was ready to eat. She has been increasing her intake steadily each day. I have been letting her choose how much and how long her meal will take to eat. It was great to see her finish up her food.

After the morning meal Elsie and I headed north to the county shelter in Bridgeport. She sits in the truck while I offer Reiki to Annie, a young, smooth coat Border Collie who is very shy. Elsie doesn't like to be left in the house and cries if I even step outside to get firewood. We are working on that bit of separation anxiety. Fortunately she doesn't seem to mind being in the truck. She only cries if she sees me walking another dog. Today she got a double dose. I walked Annie while Jennie, the shelter attendant walked another dog, Yoti, a Husky mix. Annie does better with a more confident dog. I wish I could walk her with Elsie. The other dog I walked was Otto, an 8 year young Basset Hound. He is a handsome guy and I think Elsie really wanted to meet him.

Elsie ate half again as much as she usually consumes at a meal. Go Elsie. You are making your foster momma proud. 

Reiki treatments continue. I am still doing one group treatment for numerous mange pups: Elsie, Benny, Suzie Wong, Hope, and now another unnamed girl. All but Benny, came from the Lancaster shelter in California. Benny came from the Turlock, CA shelter. All wonderful, loving souls. They look beyond the way they were treated before and forgive the human race. Can we ever hope to be so forgiving and willing to love?

Spa time

Ah, a lemon/chamomile rinse. A soothing and relaxing way to end the day. Add some sulpher, arnica, and a splash of colloidal silver. And it doesn't taste bad either.

But I'd really like to get out of the tub and back to the wood stove and the couch.

And now I am ready for my Reiki session.

CV lets me on the couch next to him. I'm so glad that he doesn't bite at my heels all the time like when I first got here a week ago. Thank you everyone for saving my life. Namaste

New Places

Wednesday, January 26th, 2011

Today we went up to our property, about a mile from where we live, to get fuel. Elsie explored a bit before we had to leave to go to town to mail off things (we don't have mail delivery out here). New smells are always a good thing. As much as Elsie doesn't like the rolling couch she will get in willingly. She knows that it means that she will be with somebody and not alone. Right before we drove off she leaned in for some love and extra reassurance. We sat there for a couple of minutes enjoying the moment. Dogs are so good at that. Lesson to learn.

It was bath night, not just a lemon wash. Elsie jumped right in to tub and stood there waiting. She is so patient  and didn't try to get out. I tell her how good a bath feels and imagine it myself. She got a lemon rinse and then waited to be toweled off before getting out. She then let loose with a couple of good shakes. A nice fire was going and she laid out in front of the stove to soak up the warmth. Ahh.

Visit with the Vet

Tuesday, January 25th, 2011

Yesterday, Monday, we drove to Reno to see Dr. Drumm at Lakeside Animal Hospital. It's 2 1/2 hours each way and Elsie slept most of that time. She was a little uncomfortable and kept shifting around. The moving couch is not her favorite thing.

Her temp was down to 102.4 and she weighed in at 53 pounds (when she arrived at the shelter she was 58).  She has some weight gaining to do. Along with all of the homeopathics that Elsie is getting, Dr Drumm suggested Cool the Blood, a combination of Chinese herbs to help with the inflammation in her skin. The doctor also said to reduce the amount of processed carbohydrate foods. More greens and protein. Around here that means high protein tofu and seitan. Elsie loves seitan. Low carb and extremely high in protein. Did you know that it has more protein, about 3.5 times more, than an equal amount of cow meat? And as much as we don't want to give her any drugs, Dr. Drumm suggested that a low dose of Ivomectin would be beneficial. I thought about it and it felt like it was the right thing to do. Anti-biotics were never suggested nor any other pharmaceutical drugs. As for Elsie's cough she didn't feel that it was kennel cough per se, but something else possibly. Going back to the Chinese food chart she suggested an elixer made of almonds, lemon, and honey. All are used to move the phegm and to help sooth the throat, and are neutral. To help her general well being she is getting radish added to her diet. This will help balance out the heat that is in her body right now.

The doctor was wondering how Elsie liked her lemon wash that she gets at night and was surprise that it didn't seem to bother her. I asked if adding in some arnica would be alright and got the nod of approval.

Each day Elsie improves and relaxes just a little more. She has discovered that it is fun to chase the chickens and ducks. Thankfully there is a fence between the them and her, and she is learning that it is not a good thing to do. She is on the bed at night and nearby all day. She sleeps soundly too and barely wakes up to turn around. Her Reiki sessions continue and I am constantly amazed by how gentle she feels when we connect. Soon enough she will leave here, but I will never forget her.

Departure Delay

Departure Delay.
After talking with Julie McCarty (the woman who was going to take Elsie to Idaho to find her a home), about Elsie's condition, we decided to wait until she is better. Julie will be forwarding the funds that are raised so far to me for the vet appointment that I made. Elsie will be going to Reno on Monday to see Dr. Drumm at Lakeside Animal Hospital. Dr. Drumm is a holistic vet. She will be able to tell us what is causing Elsie's cough. She was very successful in coming up with a homeopathic for my 15 yo when he had a nasty cough for months last year. The homeopathic cleared it up in 2 weeks! In the mean time I am developing a protocol for Elsie's mange, cough, and fever. The fever was lower today. Jere's recommendations of Bella Donna and low dose aspirin, along with the colloidal silver and Reiki are helping. It could also be a healing crisis of sorts.

This morning Elsie initiated a play session with Ares. The old dog and the young pup. It didn't last but a minute but it was good to see both of them play.

Elsie met a little girl today. She was so gentle and so was the little girl. Nice to know that she is not afraid of the small ones. Elsie also picked out a hedgehog toy at Tailwaggers today. She even chewed on it a bit when we got home, on the couch of course.

Hot, hot, hot

Friday, January 21st, 2011

Elsie slept next to me on the the bed last night. Her temperature has been slightly higher than I would like, but she still likes to go for walks and eat. She also has a cough now. It was barely there when I brought her home but now...

This morning she chased CV while he was playing fetch. Not just a trot either but a full run! All that activity means more couch time. Along with all of her rest I am giving her Bella Donna for the fever and some Colloidal Silver. Thank goodness it is cold here and we have snow so that she can stand in it. ( We are a leash free pack here. Living near the edge of nowhere has it's advantages, no traffic being one of them.)

Elsie likes to be in touch. A paw, her head, it doesn't matter. She has a little bit of separation anxiety, and I can't blame her. I went out to bring in firewood and she cried at the door. My other kids are probably wondering what is up with her. Her grandma, Jere, suggested some Arsenicum for when she must leave. I am starting her, and me, on it now. I love this girl.

Bath Day

Thursday, January  20th, 2011

Today we went for a drive to Mammoth to a place that lets you bathe your dog. Elsie was not to sure about this, but she trusts. And so we got all of the scabs washed off and grease removed. I don't know if she was happier but she is definitely cleaner. She didn't even try to jump out of the tub.

The home pack, though not bouncing for joy at our return, were kinder to Elsie when we got home. I applied some lavender and tea tree oil diluted with jojoba oil to her open sores. She is so patient. While playing fetch with CV she tried to join in. It may be a little too much for her right now. A couple of trots down the driveway and back were tiring.

When Elsie recovers she will make an amazing companion!!

I will be offering her more Reiki tonight. Her gentleness humbles me.

Elsie's Journey (aka CC or LC) Let's go...

Wednesday, January 19th, 2011 and Thursday January 20th, 2011

Another life saved. LC, or Elsie, (originally CC) was at the Lancaster shelter in CA. A very last minute pull even though she had been networked here for a week. Teamwork was key here. It wasn't until the 19th that someone stepped in to find her a home. Thank you Julie McCarty of River Bottom Homeless Pets.

Elsie was an owner surrender. They say she is a Shar Pei/ Damatian mix. I don't think so. Maybe a little Pei, but if you ask me she is a cattle dog/ pit/pei. She went in on the 7th of January to a very high kill shelter. Why so high kill? People are uneducated about the need to get their pets fixed. Puppies come in there all the time. Elsie is only 9 months old according to her records. We don't know why she was "surrendered", and in some ways that doesn't matter now. It can't be her disposition. She is sweet and gentle. She is good with other dogs and people. She is not food aggressive at all.

We had a long night after getting home. I have two dogs that can be aggressive, so having Elsie here for a couple of days is good for them. My heeler/border collie mix just keeps at Elsie's heels. My Akita mix, female, was ready to attack. All the dogs sleep in the house with those two almost always on the bed. Elsie spent the night in the bathroom with a gate blocking the door. Her own bed with the shirt I had been wearing as a pillow.

I offered her Reiki and she was willingly accepted. All the dogs did. The energy felt gentle, like Elsie. Soon sleep prevailed.

This morning, while I was getting my chickens' and ducks' food ready, she jumped the gate, quietly. No mishaps, just a bit of posturing. Time for a walk after all the bird chores were done.

We don't use leashes here because we live in the middle of thousands of acres of juniper, pine and sagebrush. Elsie navigated the snow just fine, mostly sticking to the trail of packed snow. CV, the heeler mix, kept following her for the most part. No problems. I think they were all hungry.

I feed a vegetarian diet to my dogs. I make most of it with a back up of Natural Balance Vegetarian dry food. I have been feeding this way for about 10 years now. Breakfast went off without a hitch. Now, all are napping in the sun except for Elsie who has decided that the being on the couch, next to me, is perfect.