The Owl Box

Ok, so it's been a while! But in the words of an old Johnny Winter song, I'm Still Alive and Well.

We've been fostering a new Bull Terrier, Skippy who came in from Sullivan Co. Animal Shelter. He's a very sweet boy who is just about ready for his own forever home. When he came to us, he weighed 28 pounds!!!!! An adult male Bull Terrier should weigh 50 pounds or more! This poor boy was skin and bones when I picked him up. I'm happy to say, he's now closer to 40 pounds and looking better everyday.

We've also been trying to get the top on our dog's kennel. I've heard Barn Owls, Great Horned Owls and also Red-Tailed Hawks out there and we don't want any of them swooping down and grabbing up one of our little dogs. I love having those birds around, should keep down the rat/mouse population! Not to mention they are beautiful creatures!

I've been working on my stained glass, making trophies for the Miniature Bull Terrier Club's last show. They turned out great if I do say so myself :)

I'm also involved in a new fundraising project with my friend Paula to raise money for our Bull Terrier rescue. Having a blast doing it. You can read about it on the Bullie's blog Kids in Dog Suits or if you are on FaceBook you can check it out on the fan page we made for it. Flat Papster and Flat Benny's Excellent Adventures~The Race to Silverwood.

The last couple of days I've been glued to this computer screen watching Molly and McGee, 2 Barn Owls out in San Marcos, CA. A couple out there put an owl box up on their property 2 years ago and this year the pair decided to use the box to raise their young. So far they have 1 owlet and 4 eggs still left to hatch. Egg number 2 is expected to hatch anytime now. It is so fascinating to watch her care for that baby and exciting to see the male come in to bring her food at night. Please go check them out, I promise you won't be disappointed!

Anyway, that gets you guys caught up for now, enjoy the Owl Box and I will try not to be as long posting updates next time.

Blessings to each and every one of you!

Goodbye my sweet Tink

Lounging on the couch

Tink is on the right
Bossing the dogs in the camp set-up next door


Enjoying her bed at a dog show in Chattanooga, TN

It's a very sad day at my house today. I have to help one of my beloved babies cross the Rainbow Bridge later this afternoon. I hate it! I know it's best, but I hate it! Oh, how I wish our 4-legged babies could be with us longer.

Tink is our 14 year old Miniature Dachshund that I rescued 9 years ago from a horrible lady that had her only for making money. She is one of the sweetest, most patient, loving little rescues I have ever had. She is very easy going, wants to please and for a baby that lived such a horrible life before I saved her, she gets along well with the rest of my menagerie. She's very sociable and yet, in typical Dachshund style, could be stand-offish at times. She is very protective of her pack, especially me. She was a wonderful companion to my son while he still lived at home, loved him dearly and would *protect* him from any number of *boogey men* that might come into his room at night.

The first 5 years of her little life was spent in a dirty crate, pregnant most of the time. She had 6 litters of puppies by the time she was 5 years old! SIX!!! That means she was bred every time she came into season, starting with her very first one! She came from a horrible woman who is now sitting in jail, thank goodness, after being convicted of animal abuse! HURRAY!

I got Tink a few years before her POS ovwner was arrested. At the time, I was grooming at one of the local veterinarian's clinic and the POS that owned her had brought her in to be euthanized. Her reason? (and I quote) "the bitch only gave me one puppy last time, I can't make money that way" So rather than do what a responsible breeder would do, place her in a loving home, she didn't want to be bothered and wanted to euthanize her instead. I asked her if I could take her and find her a good home. She told me I could *have* her for $150, otherwise, put her to sleep. Well, I wasn't about to give this POS any money for her, so I left the room. I was so mad, but what was I going to do? Anyway, the vet came out and asked me if I really wanted to try placing this little girl and of course I said I would. The vet then went back to the room, told the lady (I use that term loosely) we didn't have time to euthanize her right this minute, but if she would sign the release form and leave her with us, we would euthanize her that afternoon. POS said fine, signed the form and left. The vet then brought little Tink to me and said, "Here, take her and find her a forever home."

I brought her home and began working on her evaluation and getting her adjusted to living a *normal* dog's life. She had obviously rarely been out of that crate. She was terrified outside and would stand there so stiff I thought she would break. She didn't want to stay on the couch, or in a dog bed, or walk around on the carpet or hang out with the other dogs. All she wanted to do was go back to her crate. I had to keep the door to the crate closed just to keep her from going inside. She would sit there, by the door, waiting for me to open it back up. She had no idea how to potty anywhere besides her crate. She was afraid to eat anywhere except in her crate! In other words, her world consisted of her crate. It took me nearly a year to get her housebroken and acting like a normal dog and of course by then, I was so attached there was no way I was placing her. She stayed with me from then on. That was 9 years ago.

I vowed she would live a happy life if I could give it to her and she would not end her life in pain or suffering. She had enough of that in the first 5 years to last 2 lifetimes. So, the time has come for me to honor that vow and keep that promise I made to her all those years ago and let her cross over. She has been a wonderful companion and has brought me and my family joy ten-fold and I thank the Lord above for allowing me to take this little Princess home with me that day 9 years ago.

Goodbye my sweet girl. Thank you for your years of love and faithfulness and companionship. Go play with your old buddies, Pixie, Blarney and Marilyn. Be sure to kiss your *Nanny* for me and tell her I love her. (*to my wonderful Mother: Please take care of her for me until I get there Mom)

Fostering Chico, the Bull Terrier

We own and show Bull Terriers, you know, the "Target" dog, or if you are a little older, "Spuds MacKenzie" or perhaps a little older still, the "General Patton" dog. Those are just 3 famous Bullies, there are quite a few more listed here that you may not even know are Bull Terriers! I've posted about their antics a few times, the main one that stands out at this moment, the time they went on "An Adventure" through the neighborhood at the butt crack of dawn! Oh yes, they can be trying, they can be stubborn, they are bossy, they are bratty, they are funny, they are clowns, they are loving and we are absolutely devoted to this breed! I can't imagine my life ever being without one. They bring me laughter and lift my spirits each and every day. (See what I mean?)

My Pappy rolling around in the bed. LOL

That being said, I am a member of the Bull Terrier Club of America and being a part of that club, I feel I should do my part in rescuing Bull Terriers in need. When I can't foster a dog, I try to donate funds to our rescue committee. The BTCA and it's members try their best to help any Bullie that needs rescuing.

Last Friday, I get an email telling me of a Bull Terrier in the Johnson City Animal Shelter and since I am the closest to him and he's slated to be euthanized in 2 days, could I go get him? Of course I can, even in the middle of moving things to the new house, how could I live with myself if I didnt help this poor boy. He was an "owner surrender" a little thin, but not emaciated, scars and scabs all over his face from fighting and all he wants to do is play and be loved on.

"commando crawl" Bullies LOVE to do this

can you see him smiling?

He walks on lead fairly well and will "Sit", we are working on "Down" right now, and "Kennel Up" for when he needs to be crated. He loves his raw food and looks at me like I am Greek Goddess of Food or something. He will make someone an awesome pet and I hope he will find his very own forever home. He hasn't offered to fight with or try to hurt any dogs here, but I haven't had them out together yet. I want to make sure he is not contagious from being in the shelter. He also has ignored the chickens next door, could care less about our birds and seems to like men and women both. He's very playful and his eyes show a typical Bullie glint of mischievousness.

I will keep everyone updated on his progress. Right now, he is at 48 pounds and as soon as I can give him a bath (he has stitches from being neutered) I'll be able to better tell the condition of his skin and coat.

enjoying his first turkey drumstick

So, here we are, 2 people trying to move from one house to another, caring for our own brood of 15 dogs, 6 birds and a Bearded Dragon, both of us running our own businesses and we figure what's one more? Neither of us could bear the thought of a wonderful dog being put down because some jerk of an owner decided either he didn't want it anymore, or just didn't want to deal with the responsibility of taking care of one. At any rate, Chico is here until he can find a forever home.

playing with Hubby

Bullies live for "good times" they relish in life and all it has to offer, getting everything out of it they can, I hope I can take lessons from my Bullies and remember to "Live Life to the Fullest, enjoy every minute of it!"

Bullie hugs and kisses,

Angie (and the Tennessee Tribe + one)