They are all getting along...

Miss Sassy Pants is living up to her name. She can sass you and make you smile. She loves to play even when the others are not in the mood. The other night she decided that it was time to play. DJay was laying in a doggie bed on the floor. Sassy came up to him and barked at him. He ignored her...so she grabbed the blankie in the doggie bed and pulled until she got it out from under him. She took off with her prize. She stopped, turned around and looked back...well, no one was coming after her. She ran back in and barked at DJay...he didn't move...she barked again and took off running...still DJay slept. Well, Sassy wasn't happy with that...so she came in and tried one more time...she barked...waited...still nothing...so she grabbed the doggie bed and started to pull it. DJay sat up and looked at her like she was nuts....off she ran...she stopped looked around...still no DJay...back in she went and pulled on the doggie bed again and again. Well, DJay just wasn't about to get up...so poor Miss Sassy Pants stomped her feet, looked at DJay, shook her head and barked at him. Then she ran and jumped on the couch and sat by me. I guess she gave up.

New addtion to our household

On the 4th of September, 2005 a new westie girl came to live with us. She was a retired breeder from Kansas. We named her Miss Sassy Pants. She is three years old. She has been quite skittish but is slowly adjusting. She has zoomed with the other three what a sight to see. We were told that she didn't like soft stuffies. But she has latched onto a soft daisy stuffed toy. It's small and she likes to carry it around in her mouth and run back and forth shaking it. Her housebreaking is coming along. She loves to be outside and is slowly venturing off the cement patio. She is eating quite well, finally. She always waited before she ate, but now she dives right in. She loves picking on Petey...but DJay has to jump in and make her play with him. So pretty soon there is a big wrestling match going on. And Miss Sassy Pants can give DJay what for. DJay isn't too sure about this gal...but he loves trying to get the best of her. She is taking after her big brother Petey. When we walk into a room...she has to aroooo just like Petey does...hehehehehe. So all is well and we are a happy family with four beautiful westies.

Our Dear Sweetie

Our dear Sweetie went to Rainbow Bridge on July 25th, 2005. She had been feeling poorly for a couple of days...not eating very well. I thought at first it was the heat. Then I took her in to see the vet. She had a bad tooth. We scheduled surgery for a dental and they gave me some antibotics for her. That was on a Friday. Sunday morning she threw up and it was bloody. So I called the vet and he said to push fluids to try and get her kidneys working. We feared that her kidneys were shutting down. We went in to the vet Monday morning and he ran a pre-op blood screen. Well he called 45 minutes later and said that it was bad...very bad. His machine didn't even register that high. She was in kidney failure. I went to the vets and spent 30 minutes hugging her and cuddling her. I whispered over and over how much we loved her and she was a wonderful girl and she brought alot to our lives the short time she lived with us. As I held her, she went to Rainbow Bridge.
We miss her very much. The house seems so quiet without her...hard to believe that with 3 wild westies around. But Sweetie brought something different to our home. It's hard to explain...but her presence is greatly missed.

To our Sweetie...till we meet again...WE LOVE YOU!!!!!!

When we got home...

we had alot of unpacking to do...run the film in to print and put on cd...which they forgot to do. Then Herb had to go and get fitted for his tux for the wedding. Well that afternoon(a Tuesday) we had all gotten haircuts and was picking up a few things at Walmart. Herb grabbed his left chest area in pain. To make a long story short...he ended up at the emergency room and admitted to the hospital with blood clots in his lungs. He is now home after spending a week in the hospital. He is on medication to thin his blood and to clear up the pleuriscy. We thought the long trip had something to do with it...but he was having problems before we left and didn't say anything about it. So we are very lucky. But we'll just have to stick around here for awhile.
So now I can hopefully keep up on blogging. It's good to be home.
Thanks for visiting my blog.

We headed for Petey's cyber wife's place.

Petey was in a rock and roll band on the TC...Petey and the Petey-etts. Petey had alot of adoring fans. But one young westie gal caught his eye. Her name is Sissy. Petey had a concert in Las Vegas and Sissy met him. They eloped. That was 3 years ago and they were just cyber wife and hubby with a cyber wedding and adventures. Well they finally got to meet in person. You could see that they knew...they just knew.

We arrived at Betty's and the Oregon Girlies on a Thursday afternoon. The Girlies and our furkids had a great time getting to know each other.

Then on Friday we got to meet another TC er...Kay and Elliott. Everyone got along just great. They had so much fun checking out each other and Betty's garden.

Our next fun project was getting all 8 westies to sit and pose for us. As you can see it wasn't an easy time of it...

The natives are getting restless. Oh No!!!!! They're leaving!!!!!!! But we did get a really good picture of them all sitting and looking at the same time. What a job it was...but no treats or velcro was used.

We had just a super great time...and before we knew it ...time to head for home. Betty and the Oregon Girlies were great hostesses. Petey loved meeting his cyber wife, Sissy. And I loved meeting a dear friend that I met on the Terrier Club. As friends we have gone through alot just in cyber space. It was a dream come true to meet in person. We hope to make another big adventure out to Oregon someday. It is a beautiful place!!!!!

We saw some beautiful waterfalls

Here is a picture of Herb and the 3 pupsters in front of the Horsetail Falls sign. And a picture of Horsetail Falls. I was close enough I could feel the mist and a cool breeze. I was so excited. I have only seen waterfalls on TV.

Here is another one. This one is Multnomah Falls. It is in Oregon's Columbia River Gourge National Scenic Area. There is a path that you walk up to the bridge. It is just breathtaking.

Sweetie is a stinker...

Here is a post of our silly Sweetie trying to get a drink from the T bowl at a motel. We had a dish of water for her but I guess she preferred the T bowl. Not too shabby for a pupster that can only see shadows.

Meeting TC friends...

We met R Gang and their owners Fran and Duane. They have a wonderful place where R Gang and our furkids ran and played. We didn't think DJay would ever wear out. He ran and ran and played. He did sleep good that night. It is out in the country and so peaceful and relaxing for us humans anyway..
Here is a picture of 7 westies plus one friend. If I remember this right...from left to right it's Rudy, Princess, Petey, Rainey, Rocky, Sweetie, DJay, and Rose. The Swinging Seven Plus One.
Then the next day we went to Bandon and met Val and Mac. We walked on the beach and had lunch at a very nice restaurant called the The Boathouse. We could sit and look out the window at a lighthouse. After lunch, Val and Mac had to get going. Fran and the R Gang headed for their place and we checked out some of the wonderful shops in Bandon. We found out that later after we had left there was a tsunami warning issued and Bandon was evacuated. Boy was that close. From left to right...Val and Mac, me(trying to get my three to look at the camera), Fran and Duane with the R gang, and Angela.














Here are some of the other pics trying to get a good one of all of us...




So you can see we all had a wonderful time...hehehehehehehe!!!!
We absolutely loved meeting Fran and Duane. Many times Fran and I have chatted in a chatrooom. We discovered that we were both Norwegians. That was fun. It was a super great time meeting them and getting to hug in person and not just through the computer. It was a dream come true. They are wonderful folks and westie lovers just like us.

We've been on vacation

We had a wonderful vacation. We drove out to the Oregon Coast to meet some special TC friends. The coast is just breathtaking...
We saw alot of the ocean which I just love.



This is a picture of Devil's Punchbowl. It's a cave that was formed when the ceilings of two caves caved in forming one big cave. The ocean waves come crashing in two entrances.


We saw wonderful things. Here is a pic of the Columbia River Gourge...


.


We stopped at The University of Oregon's Marine and Science Center. Angela got to touch sea urchines, sea anemones, and star fishes. They also have an octopus that you can stick your hand in his tank and let him feel you. But he was asleep and they DO NOT wake up a sleeping octopus!

We also stopped at Sea lion Caves. But there was too many steps for Angela to go down so we stayed at the top and tried to see the sea lions. If you look real close you can see a brown dot...that is a sea lion.



One day of travel we saw the elk grazing along the roadside. They are Roosevelt Elk at Dean Creek which is a refuge near Reedsport. Alot of cars stopped along the roadside to take pictures and just to watch.

We made it through DJay's

2nd birthday. The old wife's tale is that by the 2nd birthday, your puppy is suppose to settle down. Hahahahaha...not our DJay. Turning 2 for him meant to zoom more. He just loves to come in from outside and pick on Petey and Princess and start a wrestling match. So that's what has been going on today. DJay on the go. He did take a short 5 minute power nap this morning. But now I think he went back outside again. What a little go getter.
The furkids got pudding with their supper last night. They really enjoyed it. So DJay had a memorable birthday.
We are having a beautiful day here. The sun is shining and it's going to be in the 80's. So I better get busy and get Angela's room straightened up. I think I can safely switch over to summer clothes.
Hope you are having a great day!!!!

It's a big day

It's DJay's 2nd birthday. The morning has started out with him running around and barking. He must know that today is his day. He grabbed a toy and was shaking it when it went flying over his shoulder. He stood there with a funny look on his face...hmmmmmmm, where did it go? Pretty soon he looked behind him and there it was. So he growled at it, shook it, and threw it up again. What a funny game he plays.
So far he has gotten a Meaty Bone Chewlotta. I think that should keep him busy for a very long time. He growls at it because he's mad...he can't make a dent in it. Give him time and he will. We will have a special supper and then all the furkids will get some doggie pudding and Frosty Paws for birthday dessert.
Will probably blog more later. Have a great day.

Tuesday, May 31st, 2005

Well, we made it through the Memorial Day weekend. We pretty much stayed home. On Saturday we found 5 of the furkids racquet balls. Boy, were they ever happy to see them. DJay thought he had really hit the jackpot. He was running around with one in his mouth and would bite down and it would pop out. At first he looked at the ball kind of funny, but that was only for a nano second. He then grabbed it and off he went. He tossed the ball in the air, grab it, bite down, and pop it out. This went on for 15 minutes. What a character.
On Sunday we kind of bummed around. After all it was racing day. We first watched the Indy 500. What a good race. We enjoyed watching Danica Patrick make history. She really ran a pretty good race and got a 4th place. What a finish for a gal's first Indy 500. She'll be one to watch in the future. Then we had a half hour break before watching the Nascar race from Lowe's Motor speedway. What a crash melee. That really makes the racing kind of drug out. But our favorite driver, Dale Jarrett missed the accidents and finished 8th. We're hoping for a great year. We feel down in our bones that he will win a race.
Yesterday was another day of straightening up the house and a bit of spring cleaning. In the afternoon I tried out my new lawn chair recliner. Boy, was it comfortable. Sweetie laid on top of me and we took a nap. I found out that it was hazzardous to my health...I got sunburned...OUCH...just on my feet. Petey and Princess did some sunbathing and DJay laid in the shade. Then they come into the house and zoom around chasing each other. What a great weekend.
Well that's all for now. I really should get busy and do some crocheting. I have to get the ring bearer's pillow done. Oh yea, my youngest daughter is getting married in August. I have found my dress. So I'm ready...hehehehehe.
Have a good day and I'll blog more later.

So for now...

that is our family of westies and one special cockapoo. Who knows what will happen next and what special furface will pass through this home on their way to a new family or to become a member of ours. I can't wait to find out. But until then, I will update you on this family of special puppers.

So until then...
AAARRRROOOOOOOOOOO
from
Petey
Princess
DJay
and
Sweetie Pie

So for now we are 3 westies and...

a cockapoo. Sweetie Pie is a very special lady. I don't know why but someone posted her picture on the Terrier Club and I felt I had to help this dog. She was in a very high kill shelter in Memphis Tennesse. She was listed as 10 years plus old, deaf, and blind. The shelter had a reputation of putting dogs to sleep before their allotted time was up. I hoped and prayed that some caring people could get her adopted out for me before she was PTS. We were successful. Next I found out what caring and loving dog people were out there. It took a couple of weeks, but a group of 14 people help transport Sweetie up here to Iowa. A dear person in Tennesse adopted her out and got her groomed. It took a weekend to get Sweetie up here. When I got her, I found a mammory tumor on her underside. I also saw that she had a rotting eye. So I made a call to my vet and got her sceduled in the next morning. Sweetie had to have the eye removed. She had the tumor removed and 10 teeth. Her ears had to be flushed out and then deep cleaned while she was under. What I got in return is a very loving and caring old gal. She joined our family on August 28th, 2004. And she has alot of guardian angels on the Terrier Club. So many of the members helped out on her vet bill and lots of prayers. I'm happy to say...Sweetie is doing very very good. It's hard to say how old she is...but we believe she might be closer to 14 than 10. But we don't care...yes, she is blind and her hearing isn't the best...but she can get into trouble with the best of them. She loves to get into the garbage. And she can smell a pizza a mile away. She is a diamond and a blessing to our family.

Our Sweetie Pie 

Sadness...

On July 14th, 2004....a very sad decision had to be made. My beloved first westie was having a very difficult time breathing. We had tried water pills and heart medications. But at 14 and 1/2 years old, her body was tired. I called my husband and my kids. When they had gotten here and said their good byes, I called my vet. He came right over and we all gathered to help Babe over Rainbow Bridge. It was very hard. She was the reason I love westies so much. She was a very grand lady and made it easy to fall in love. I know that someday her and I will be reunited. She along with Mo and Noodles will be waiting for me at the Bridge so we can cross it together.
Babe, you will always be my true westie love. Until we met again...I LOVE YOU!


My Babe waiting at Rainbow Bidge 

We were one happy family

We had many a westie and cairn go through here. I love to foster and help second hand dogs find there new forever homes. I even had the priveledge of helping a scotty. There has been Brisco, Casey, Frankie, Cheyenne, Gerimino, Dakota, Sedona, Dill, Casey, Mickey, Crystal, Ollie, and alot more that the names escape me. They were many that I wanted to keep. That is the hard part of fostering and rescuing. But helping one dog at a time is one of the most rewarding things in life. We just a special lady that we thought was going to be a member of our family. But alas, she wanted to be an only dog. With a heavy heart we had to find her a new home. And her special family came along. It was just too good to be true, but there they were...Ellen and Craig. Twinkie is now happily residing in St. Paul, Minnesota. She has a new family and a new name. Her name is now Phoebe.
And she is one spoiled gal. She deserves it after a lifetime of being in a breeding facility.

Then came a whirlwind

by the name of DJay. This young pup came from Westie Rescue of Missouri. We were his 3 rd family and he was only 4 months old!! His first family didn't know what they were getting into with a westie. They couldn't handles his activeness. Then the 2nd family loved him dearly but a family member's allergies got the best of them...even though westies are good for people with allergies to dogs. Anyway their loss was our gain. We loaded up and headed down to Missouri and picked him up. His name was Scruffy and that defintely was him. When we got him home he got a bath and a haircut and a new name...DJay. He was named after our favorite Nascar driver, Dale Jarrett. But I think we should have named him, Wildman. He was a little white terror.
Our DJay  He became a member of our gang in November of 2003. He has been quite the go-getter. Many a day I wondered what did I get myself into. He is due to celebrate his second birthday and doesn't show any signs of slowing down. But honestly he is one of the best lovebugs I have ever had. I can't stay mad at him long after he comes up and gives me one of his special puppy kisses. He is a one and only.

We started fostering

westies. Our first foster was named Noodles. She had come from a commerical breeder. When she was retired an older lady bought her. The older lady had Noodles for a couple of years and passed away. Noodles came into rescue and we became her foster parents. It wasn't long before we realized that we were going to flunk fostering 101. Noodles became a part of our family in December, 2001. She was a gentle soul. She was 8 years old. And we loved her dearly. She traveled with us to Texas and Missouri. Sadly we were only to have her for a couple of years.
Our beloved Noodles. She went to Rainbow Bridge 3 days before her birthday in October 2003. We discovered she had a throat tumor. She was choking to death and we had to make one of the hardest decisions ever. Noodles now rests with us. Some day we will all be together.

Our westie family grew

Babe soon learned that a puppy at her age was a pawfull. That's when I decided to look around for another westie to add to our family. I had joined a website called The Terrier Club. The members on there talked alot about adopting rescues. So I looked at the site of Westie Rescue of Missouri. After a couple of months there was a young female westie named Princess on there. I filled out an application. I waited and pretty soon I got a phone call. After an interview with me and a home check, I got a call saying we were approved to be Princess's new family. We set up a time to drive to her foster mom's home to met her. It was a five hour drive which seemed like forever. But pretty soon, Babe, Petey, and us arrived. Oh my Princess was a scared little gal. She had been rescued from a puppymill where she was forced to get pregnant before she was even a year old. Princess was 13 months old when she delivered 6 puppies. But her poor health only allowed 3 to survive. She was fed very well in rescue and got her strength up and nursed her 3 puppies.
Princess and her puppies  It came time for them to be adopted and then her. She joined our family August 18th, 2001. She is 7 months older than Petey. But that didn't bother Petey. He thought she was a great zooming partner. It took a few months for Princess to learn the ropes, but she did. Even to this day, Princess is changing and blossoming more and more.
Her and Petey are the bestest of friends.

Our westie household

Our westie household started out with Babe. We fell in love with her, January 15th, 1990. 6 months after we had gotten Babe, the breeder called us and asked if we would like her mother. We jumped at the chance and said an eager yes. Mo, as we called her, was a scruffy, stinky mess. When we got her home, she had to have a fast visit to a vet. We discovered she had an uterine infection. We had to get that taken care of immediately. Mo came through it just fine. She was home 2 days when she got spooked and hurt her hip muscle. So back to the vet she went again. She had to have some stitches put in the muscle and spend another couple of days at the vet. When she finally got to her new home she enjoyed being with Babe. They got along wonderfully and gave us many hours of enjoyment. They travelled well and took trips to South Padre Island in Texas with us. We were hooked. We had Mo and Babe for many wonderful years. Unfortunately, Mo passed away on February 12th, 2001. She lived to be 13 years old. Babe was so lonely after losing Mo. We were also lonely. So we looked up some breeders and found our next westie, Petey. Petey was suppose to be a small westie. Well, he is a very big boy. He has the most wonderful personality. He arrooos when he wants your attention. Most of the time he also has a toy in his mouth. He is a big cuddler.
This is a baby picture of Petey.  Petey joined Babe in March of 2001. Babe was so happy to have him around.