Hey All

Could start a chain reaction of decency, Steve!

OK Sofer, if you are here tell us why turkey is making dogs sick please.

Judi, a Tom Tom is one brand of GPS they range in price from $100 to $300. I wanted a larger one but econimized. then after mounting it on my windshield on the left of the window. I'm glad I have the smaller unit. now I just have to figure out how to use it. me and directions have issues. Mary, actually the people in line were curteous and when i was in line I saw a lap top cooler unit that a lady had in her hand. I was asking her how much it cost. and she said if you want one go ahead and get it I'll save your place in line. so no pushing and shoving. at Staples in Port Orchard that I could see. Jim

Thats what I mean Jim, Where I work now (in the city, meaning Lynnwood) compared to where I was In Sequim, I loved the laid back people there, like everyone you meet on this side. As in all the jobs I have had on this side people are nice. I guess we living a in more subdue area, we are so different. On the other side of the pond, now thats a hole new ball park. Dealing with A Lot of different nationalities who can not speak english or has a poor way of it. And get mad cause you can't understand them, Sorry I feel you want to live here you better learn, Just my opinion.LOL

I once had a GPS in my car but rarely used it. I had to special order the car I have now because I didn't want one. I had too much technology in my life! PC computer for work, PC laptop for work on airplanes, mac laptop at home, blackberry, etc. Just too much.
I'm glad your shopping experience was pleasant!
Is anyone else feeling totally lazy after Thanksgiving? I have been sitting around all day reading & watching television.

I am, Kinda. But had no turkey dinner for turkey day. DH got me a Ham dinner next night and, Left work early last night was not feeling well, had today off. Trying to recoup was dehydrated, not enough water or was it the Ham? Better now.
Schule has changed for me, no more late nights. Back to the Mid shift.

What a great weekend - the weather was exceptionally cooperative, and warm, too. Still have a few more things to accomplish before calling it quits for the year. I'd truly enjoy this weather for another 3 months!
Dug up a 5' Brugmansia I grew from seed to bring inside for the winter, along with some Plectranthus, Coprosma, Colocasia, ornamental swt. potatoes and geranium vancouverii.
Planted a few more things in ground - lilies, grasses, Salvias. The rest will be heeled into the veg garden until late winter.
Replenishing the soil with leaves/compost, & hoping to get a couple loads of manure next weekend.
Gordon - I planted the Melianthus major in ground - looks great! Hope it survives the winter - did you dig yours for overwintering in the new GH?

Nice weather in Seattle today. The reason dogs have trouble with turkey is the fact it is stuffed with fat. dogs (and people) hav e trouble with digesting fat. Don't feed fat to you or your dog.

Katye...you're making me feel lazy. I didn't accomplish any where near that much. But I am working on Christmas presents, so it's taking some of my time.

I really like my GPS, I have a Garmin, but I've heard good things about the Tom Tom too. It makes it so much easier to get to places I'm unfamilar with.

People here in Eugene are mostly pleasant, but really good sales seems to bring out the unpleasant tendencies in people. Like maybe fans at sporting events. LOL

Sofer....I thought turkey was good for you. Not the skin, and not the dark meat (which DH loves). But the white meat I thought was o.k.

Tilly where do you work? It sounds like you have an exhausting schedule! I hope you are feeling better soon. After all, more holiday chores are on the way!

Turkeys used to be lean and tough. Now they are fat and juicy loaded with hormones, feed additives, all to make them that way. Sure they are healthy. We need to learn to love lean.

But turkey is sooo good! I figure if I eat fish and a little chicken and LOTS of vegetables the rest of the time things even out. I have noticed that since I eat red meat only about once a month, when I do I don't feel so well. Maybe just too much fat.
Expecting rain here today.
Being relatively new to Oregon, I have noticed that people here are more patient, polite and kinder than San Francisco. Everything seems to be dialed down a bit and it is very refreshing. Oregonians must be the most polite drivers in the country.

I've noticed the driving thing, too. Being from the east coast everyone drives on your tail and weaves in and out. Whatever happened to - stay to the right and pass on the left? If they left room and held a steady pace there wouldn't be the inch-worm effect - I call it. They speed up, then slam on their brakes. Out in OR. there is more room between cars. However, I have noticed in the last few years more of a tendency to speed. Maybe, that's all the outsiders.
Also, I heard my SIL saying that her grandson and friend went and stood in line outside of a store all night to be one of the first on line. When store people came out in the morning before the doors opened, they asked what you were there for and gave out vouchers for that article. The guys then got out of line and started walking back down the line asking people if they were there for the item they had a voucher for, then sold their vouchers for $30. They were never intending to buy anything just to get the voucher and then sell it. I couldn't believe it.

Jan23, I guess the saying goes, it only take one to ruin it for everybody else. Jim

EACH AND EVERY ONE of us are here to be the "inch worm" stopper. well certainly try to be one of the helpful people in that long line of cars all in a hurry. Just think how many behind you have a better day without the worry of impact. Random acts of kindness are so appreciated and change the world!

Yes, Sofer, they truly do!!

Did no one recognize the cry of an overworked analyst?? Poor Laurie!! She is all 'listened out'! Laurie, sounds like you need a vacation. I hear you ,friend!!

Okay, aside from the blackness of certain black fridays, WHY oh WHY do people dump animals???? Can someone please speak to this? How can anyone dump an animal?? I'm leaving home to pick up my son, and I find this beautiful Siberian husky wandering the road. She has had a litter recently, is very thin and anxious, pacing back and forth. But still interested in responding to me when I call to her. She is very submissive, squatting and peeing on her own tail when I patted her. I told her to 'wait' while I went to pick up Andrew and she was still on my road when I got home. Andrew went out and put a leash on her. I called the humane society and was reassured that they would work with Seattle Purebred Dog rescue to get her adopted, so she is, hopefully, resting comfortably there. She slept the whole way to the place, poor baby.

So now I'm just putting out the word that this is a very sweet dog who was likely dumped in this area, maybe used in a puppy mill operation. She looks like a purebred to me, but I don't know the breed well. Her face is beautiful, and she is very gentle. If you know anyone who is looking for a dog like this, she'll be available for adoption in a few days if everything checks out.

Here's another photo of her. I'm hoping the breed rep at the purebred dog rescue will want copies of these. Does anyone have any other suggestions?

She is beautiful, hope she doesn't have some pups some where. Hope they find her a good home. Poor you.

Poor her! I, too am worried about whether the pups are weaned. But i don't think she would leave pups who are not weaned unless it was against her will.

Pix to the rescue again! How do they find you, glad they do. Thank you for caring. Such a beautiful dog.

sofer....O.K. now I feel better, I buy my turkey from Market of Choice, no hormones, free range, etc. They actually taste like the turkeys I remember as a child. Don't come cheap, but Thanksgiving is special and so are we.

Just watched Celtic Woman on TV. Feeling my Irish roots tonight.

I am actually looking for an adult dog, but I need a non-allergic type. I looked up Siberian Huskys and they are not low or non-allergic. Otherwise I would hop in my car and come up there and see your foundling! She looks so sweet and what a face!

Nice job, Pix. Have you guys checked Craigs List for a lost ad and/or called the vets around to scan for a microchip?

It's pretty easy for any dog to get thin when feeding pups as they steal all the good stuff from her body. So it may be some well-meaning owner not understanding that he has to give her supplemental food. She may also just be an un-spayed stray.

Huskies (and most Nordic) breeds are notorious escape artists and roamers, so many are given up and many are lost. I'm not sure how active Husky rescue is around here, but contacting them is what I'd do.

http://www.siberianrescue.com/westdetails.htm

Any luck, Pix? I just love Husky Breed. Wish I could take her.

My tour is done, Hope those that took it enjoyed it. I sure did in showing it. Was fun
Pix I believe your next.
Can't wait, to see sense the work party pics.

I have spent my professional life dealing with the world of dogs that have no owner. Never spayed always pregnant producing many many more unwanted dogs. She is in the picture definately feeding puppies and rather young ones. Kathy is correct it is common for the northern breeds to roam even during nursing a litter. Her "owners" probably have given up on her and have planned on keeping one of her pups as their new friend. Typical. Sorry but I have burned out on hope for the millions of unwanted pets and focus on the ones I can help that people care about. Thank you Pixy for having the energy to save one more. We need more like you to continue the unending disposal of animals after they become unwanted.

soferdig I am looking for an adult dog - no or low shedding. I know about and like goldendoodles and labradoodles - are there any others besides poodles I should be considering? I had a golden who died a year ago who was our family dog for 16 years. I am ready for another dog but don't want to do the puppy thing and there are so many older dogs that need homes. I have 2 cats that were strays that I've had for 14 years so they are getting pretty old.

Portland, have you considered a Whippet or Grehound?

there's a program in Multinomah in Portland, that they are saving Greyhounds that were racing at the dog track, and are of no use anymore. Jim

Greyhounds are the best dogs. they shed very little. Good idea Hosta!

I got so excited!!! I went immediately to the greyhound sites for Portland and yes there are many retired racers that need homes and the photos are all beautiful. However, they all specify that these dogs are not cat safe. I really like greyhounds but I can't have my cats in danger. I would love to have a rescue dog. Does anyone know if greyhounds are a big threat to cats or would the cats survive without injury (or worse).

They know about this issues and evaluate all dogs for cat safety. I do know greyhound owners who have cats - I myself have a Whippet who is totally cat safe (even when they're running outside in front of him).

Essentially, if the greyhound and cat are outside and the greyhound is not cat safe, then the dog will run after the cat. Whether it's just a question of a dog hunting small game, really depends on the dog. Small game (squirrels, rats, rabbits) typically don't turn around and fight back. A cat that turned around and nailed the dog and stood his or her ground would totally make the dog take stock (the dogs don't really want to fight - they just have it in their genes to run after small running things).

Inside, where the cats aren't typically running, is a whole different story.

Your best bet is to contact the greyhound rescue group and expalin your situation. They often have smaller dogs who don't make the cut or dogs who don't have a strong prey drive who don't make the cut who'd be your best bet. I have a friend who is active in rescue up here and I can contact her if you want.

There is also whippet rescue. Silken Windhounds, which I have, have more of a coat, but they aren't terribly dog-like in terms of their skin, so you might consider them as an option.

D-mail if you want to talk.

This is exciting!!

Katie - thanks for another good suggestion. I will check it out. The web sites say whippets are ok with cats they have been raised with but if I want an adult dog that would not be the case. There are also a lot of cats in my neighborhood who wander around and visit other houses.
I think I will contact the rescue organizations here and see what they say.
Thanks! It is exciting!

Portland, I sure hope that you have luck in finding your new pet. We'll look forward to seeing the pictures.

Pixy, It's so great of you to take in the Husky. Hopefully it works out well for her. I know that some folks don't like craigslist, but I do know quite a few people who have had good luck there as well, myself included. I have never, never, been able to understand how people can do that with animals.

For all of my 30-some years I've always had 2-3 cats around the house. All of which, with the exception of my most recent addition, were strays dropped off by our house or that actually found their way out to the house from where they were dropped. And we lived far enough away from other places that they couldn't just be lost. We had 3 or 4 neighbors and that's how they obtained their pets as well. The neighbors with the larger yards, usually took the dogs after we had kept a few. People just drive out that rd. (the neighborhood driveway) thinking that they are dropping them off out in the woods. On a couple of occasions we found a box with a litter in it dropped on the FS rd. 1/2 mi. from our house. One year when I was 15, these two tiny, adorable, kittens found our house. One showed up on the back deck on Christmas Eve, and we were saps mostly due to the season, and decided to keep it. Then we heard meowing the next morning, Christmas day, as one of our adult cats was hearding this other kitten towards the back door. The kittens were clearly siblings. We looked all over for others, but I've always wondered if they were others from that litter that didn't find our yard. Anyhow, we actually had four cats until my sister took one with her to college.

My most recent addition, Precious - who I think most of you have "met", I did find on craigslist. I have heard "stranger danger" and all this stuff about that method. But the prior owner did ask a lot of stuff about me before hand, we exchanged many pictures, and I couldn't be happier. As soon as I saw a picture of this "odd duck" of a cat with a stumpy tail and floppy ears, I had to have her!

Here's an update on the Husky. The owner claimed her. The pups are 6 weeks old and the owner is already selling them . Isn't that a bit young? Anyway, I know Huskies are known for roaming. But here is a copy of the email I got from the owner after asking for the 'story' of how this dog got so lost. The email address is from a plumbing company here in Lakewood and has a zipcode that is not in my neighborhood. It seems strange to me that even a Siberian would roam that far when there are pups involved, but obviously I'm not an expert on dogs. The breed rep for the purebred dog rescue was working with me and said the humane society had labeled this dog as 'dangerous' because it was growling at them. I'll tell you what: it makes me not want to take any more strays to the humane society. If I had milk in my breasts, pups somewhere, had been on the road and was hungry and scared, I'd probably growl a bit, too. But this dog did not act at all aggressive to us or we would not have handled her. She went willingly into the kennel. She gave a couple of growls when she realized the door was closed, but I talked soothingly to her and she calmed right down and went to sleep. I would have been really upset if they had put this dog down. Here's the email. You can judge for yourselves.

am not sure what happened to her I let skyla out in the morning and she got off her chain and when she came back in she was throwing up raw hamburger meat, well i was cleaning it up and got sick myself . It was very nasty so i opened the back door for some air and i was still getting sick, back door was closer than the bathroom, skyla came out in the yard and i didnt notice next thing i knew she was gone. We went everywhere looking for her but couldnt find her my husband thought someone picked her up. Her puppies are fine they are 6weeks now so we have started to sell them we were not to happy about her having another liter she was suppose to get fixed in october and we did not know she was in heat so they were a surprise. Skyla has always been on the skinny side but i knew the puppies would be to much for her and now she is extremly skinny and also losing fur. I am going to hurry and get her fixed and i am doing everything i can to get her heathly again.
We have 2 other dogs beside her and she is the only one that looks like that. My main issue is she is a pro at getting lose and eats out of peoples trash the neighbor started her on people food by giving it to her and even though we feed her good.( i am always feeding her.) She seems to have become kind of a scavenger i am not sure how to break her of that. Maybe someone chased her away or one of my neighbors took her for a drive who knows i am just gald she is home.

Update on our other stray, the cat we are calling 'The Admiral'.... he continues to live with my daughter and he is a great traveler. In fact, this cat travels as though he were a dog. He is just adorable. Funny (and sad) story: my daughter just had to break it off with her boyfriend. Of course she is heartbroken. We drove down to Salem yesterday to pick her up and bring her home for a couple of days. During a conversation I said it was nice that she has 'The Admiral' because he will keep her company a bit and she'll be less lonely. She said that when she found the cat and picked him up, it flashed through her mind, "oh great. Now I'm probably going to lose Reid and that's why this cat just found me."

That's absolutely baloney!!

1. That dog hasn't been fed "all the time"
2. If the puppies were going to be too much for her, why not supplement her diet?
3. You can't miss a dog in heat. Ask me how I know. Sahara is in heat right now and it's obnoxious at the house (to say the least). She's flirtatious and the boys, neutered and not are 24/7 stressed by it.
4. Dogs generally go into heat on a cycle - there is no reason the people should be surprised.
5. No dog should ever be chained and left out. How does she get "out" if she's on a chain?
6. Six weeks is too early. Some moms won't even wean their puppies until 10 or 12.
7. Selling the puppies? When you have no idea who the sire is?

I know this has nothing to do with you, Pix, but people like this make me irate. They have no business owning a dog. And I am all but certain that they are lying about 1/2 what they told you. It is so sad. She would have been better off had rescue taken her and found her a good home.

If you talk to them again, maybe you can suggest that they worm her? If they are telling the truth (because all of a sudden today they're going to get her healthy again? Yeah, right. They'll say anything to get her back so they can continue to neglect her and put her out on the chain.), it may be that she has parasites that are preventing her from gaining weight.

This is how people like me turn "militant" - I just can't stand the disservice done to the dog.

Growling dogs are good dogs because they warn you not to keep doing what you're doing. Who is a better human, the one who says, "Stay away. You're scaring me and I might hit you if you come closer," or the one who says nothing and just smacks you without warning? Stupid HS rep . . . even without training, you guys were tuned in to what the dog was trying to say.

The Humane Society is at the center of controversy. It's generally considered to be an animals rights organization (like PETA), rather than an animal welfare organization (like the ASPCA). Often the animal rights orgs get caught up in rights (like freeing all domestic animals, regardless of whether they can survive on their own) issues without considering the welfare of the animals we should be protecting. But how would one know that unless someone pointed it out to them?

It sure would be great if somebody could be watching these people to make sure they followed through. Is it worth filing a complaint on them, do you think?

Oh, and running away - scared dogs will do that. She may have left the puppies to get food, then almost missed getting hit by a car, then met a scary dog, then had somebody yell and her and throw a rock, then . . . and before she knew it she was miles away.

You said it best, Kathy. I tried rescue first and their foster homes were full. They are going to spay and microchip her. Yeah. And I can fly!

Melissa -

I'm so sorry for your daughter, but it sounds like she knew they were headed down that road. Bless Admiral for being there and taking care of her. There's nothing like having a pet to help you heal.

I think, as I get older, that I will be less likely to try to find owners of dogs that I find that aren't in good condition. Kind of militant, I know, but often there's a reason that they have gotten lost . . . of course, in this case, there were puppies to think of. Just between a rock and a hard place, really, you were . . .

I doubt filing a complaint would do any good. Lakewood contracts out their 'animal control' stuff to the Humane Society in Tacoma. Plus, I don't know where these people live. I figure the only reason she told me they were going to spay and microchip is because she thought I would want to hear that. On the other hand, this dog did not act abused to me. She was friendly, but not overly so. She approached me willingly, even though was submissive. She was able to trust us right off the bat, and I think that bodes well for how she is being treated. She allowed the vet at the HS to look her over, including checking her teeth, without protest. She was sniffing around the area and looked alert.
If I ever find her again, I'll probably go directly to breed rescue, though. But if they couldn't take her, I don't know what I would do.