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Events & Happenings At Dogwood Pond
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If you CLICK HERE and have the sound turned up on your computer, you can hear "Old Time Rock 'N' Roll". It's the theme song of Dogwood Pond where the Bullies and I do the Bully Butt Wiggle every time we hear it on the radio!! Dancing is good for the soul and keeps us doing our "range of motion" exercises. |  |
Wednesday - 5/21/03 - 9:30 AM
Bob & Judy want to go out to play!!
Our spirits have been a little low so we took yesterday afternoon off "just for ourselves". We drove to Memphis in the rain, looked around and ate at a Chinese Restaurant. Naturally, we brought back leftovers for the "yard dogs". We have them so spoiled they act like fools whenever we return home. Before you ask - I did NOT go to all the other tables asking if they wanted to make a contribution to our "doggie bag", although sometimes I am tempted!!!
Bully Owner Contribution: My Vet recommends the following to prevent Ear Infection: Equal parts of peroxide, white vinegar and rubbing alcohol."
We're making a cocoon which will help to nourish our souls and restore our energy - We have done away with the TV which allowed us to be bombarded with the bad happenings of the world... over and over and over each day. (We had the Dish disconnected.) We've added our telephone number to the State of Tennessee List of People who do not want to be bothered by Telephone Solicitors. Although I have on the web site that the telephone number is to be used for Emergencies Only, I'm still getting calls from people wanting to know when we will have another litter so we've added Caller ID to our telephone to enable us to avoid "Private Number" and "Unknown Caller" and other people we do not know. I don't want to speak with anyone who will not identify themselves, plus 90% of the people who call have free minutes on their cell phones and want to "talk Bulldogs" because it is their hobby!! We do not have enough free time for ourselves so we surely don't need to waste time talking to people who have not taken the time to read our web site.
Miss B escaped yesterday. I had taken her out for a walk, then put her in a holding pen to get some more exercise and a few minutes of sunshine. Five minutes later she was gone, I forgot to fasten the gate. While I was out driving the road running the property, a neighbor came and got Bob, they had caught her but didn't have a lead to bring her home. I can't express how frightened I was!!
Elvis is doing a little better, I'm feeding him small portions about 11 times a day. The cause of the problem is that his lymph nodes are enlarged, but the biopsy results didn't show that they were cancerous so he is on steroids at present and the vet is hoping it will reduce their size. I just don't know much else at this point. Poor guy will be 8 years old in December.
Today we went to the Florence, AL for a nice visit with a person who has one of our pups and then we bought dog food at the Sam's Warehouse. The people who work there are always so nice. I had to stop at the plant department at Lowe's and then at a nursery. I finally found some Angel Wing Begonias plus other plants. Bob, my plants and my puppies are lots of trouble but they sure make me smile. (I wonder how long it will take him to read this. LoL)
I'm so sick of thunderstorms and tornado warnings!!! The area surrounding the house is wild with weeds because the ground has been too wet to mow for weeks, mosquitos are beginning to breed in the puddles of water left standing in the woods, working in the flower beds is impossible because you sink into the earth when you take a step... BUT, I love the feel of my naturally wavy hair when the humidity makes it fuzzy, sitting on the porch watching the rain, it's tapping against the side of the house when I'm on my way to sleep and the snuggly attitude of the Bullies because the storms reminds them that we are here to protect and love them... Maybe that's why God doesn't prevent thunderstorms and tornados, we need to be reminded.
Click Here For Helpful Info!!
We had a wonderful time today with Beth & John. We felt like we had known them for forever!!! Bob cooked a very nice lunch of Pasta with Alfredo Shrimp Sauce and it wasn't until they left that I realized the salad was still in the refrigerator.
They fell in love with The Champ (Jeb) and of course he really hammed it up for them. He is an absolutely wonderful Bully who minds very well, although sometime I have to raise my voice to remind him that "I'm The Boss". When I do he really gets his little wiggly butt in motion, it's so cute.
It was a good way to start my "time off".
Today is the first day of my extended vacation!!! Friends know the whole story, if you don't please read below. I will be posting updates to this page while I am "away".
One of the first things we're doing is taking time out for company on Friday. Beth & John lived in FL and have recently moved to Memphis. We have never met but we've been e-mailing for about 3 years, our relationship having started when they took in a rescue Bully. I hope that we are not a disappointment to them.
We are very interested in a new project!!! Tina O'Brien, friend and owner of one of our "babies" named Big Boo, has introduced several people where she works to the Peanut Series. Yesterday, we got this e-mail from her:
"A couple of people here at work have ask me if you and Bob would give permission for the "Peanut" story to be used in our HOSTS (Helping One Student To Succeed) volunteer literacy program. Some students express interest in dogs....and who better than Peanut to prompt them to read, especially with his cute little expressions. Please let me know."
We told her she had our permission and that Bob would be glad to take suggestions on future chapters, etc. Wouldn't it be wonderful if Peanut could help motivate children to read while sneaking in "life lessons". Peanut is just as sweet as Bob writes him up to be.
The Champ is back from the Vet's having been neutered and is doing fine. He never skipped a beat!! Poor Elvis is in very poor condition because he throws up his food. We've done everything so finally the Vet did exploration surgery from which he has recovered but didn't find anything that was abnormal. We thought the surgery had corrected the problem somehow, but it has slowly come back.
Of the three puppies, Peanut is absolutely the sweetest and most well behaved. Sugar is too rowdy with both he and Count (a.k.a. Counce) but she really seems to enjoy the attention Count gives her, she will lay down on the floor and let him get on top of her growling and nibbling. I won't allow him to get "mad", if he does he gets a light pop with a newspaper and a loud "NO". If he does it again, he has to go for a "time out". We do NOT allow aggressive behavior!!!
Bob and I were so exhausted that we were forced to take the day off. We left mid-morning for a long leisurely drive through the countryside, ate lunch at a great buffet in the big city and just relaxed. Of course you know I had to mix business with pleasure so we stopped by a Sam's Warehouse to get dog food on the way back. We're refreshed and ready to tackle all our chores first thing in the morning. Now for a long nights sleep, if the "strays that came to stay" don't bark at buggers all night long. Don't get me wrong, if there is something or somebody out there, I surely want them to bark.
Update E-mail I received today:
I just wanted to say hi and let you know that Dudley and Diesel are doing great (from Reba & PepperJack's 07/12/02 Litter)......the last time we took them to the vet about a month ago Dudley was 60 lbs and Diesel was about 55lbs....are they still growing? Some people told us they grow until 18 months....wow, I can't imagine what they will be like then....they are turing 1 yr in July. I will keep you posted from time to time....as always we check your site weekly. Still our favorite!
Regards,
Nancy and Henry
Silver Lake, WI
Nasty storms rolled through in the middle of the night and knocked out electricity for miles around. To show you how "small town it is" around here, when I called to report the problem a lady answered from her home, the "after-hours" phone having been forwarded, she told me they had several reports in our area and a crew was on it's way, so it shouldn't be long, but be sure to call back if the repair time wasn't reasonable. Sure enough, power was fully restored about an hour later.
Counce (now named 'The Count of Dogwood Pond'), Peanut and Sugar are doing just fine!!! They are growing and we believe they will
be some of our "small Bulldogs", short both in body and height but chunky. Bob has a tendency to
only take pictures of Peanut but I'll push him to take some of Sugar & Counce for you.
The Champ has started to become sexually active so we can't let him play with the little
puppies any more - he wants to play the wrong kind of games. If all goes
well he will be neutered next week to prevent additional unwanted behavior, such as territory
marking. 
This is a perplexing time in regard to Brooks, shown here with her last litter
sired by Buster (picture taken on 3/25/02). She was bred 31 days ago to Mr Big Stuff and should be showing if she were
going to have a large litter. Bob is betting
on a 5 puppy litter and tells me just to wait a few more days and I'll be able to tell.
Day 35 is usually when you can see fullness if they are "with pups". I'm always so tempted
to get an x-ray at this point so I can plan my life, but I feel it could be harmful to the
puppies, if there are any. My experience with ultrasound has not been
good so I won't even consider wasting money by having one done. Happy Mother's Day to all you fine ladies out there who are Mothers or Grandmothers to our "babies", Bullies of course.
Judy
Dueling BBQ Sauce (reference 4/30 entry), yesterday we were sent some "Sweet Baby Ray's Honey Barbecue Sauce" made in Schiller Park, IL. Their stated philosophy is "The Sauce Is The Boss" (www.sweetbabyrays.com). I asked Bob to do a taste comparison test this morning before breakfast to insure his taste buds were in prime condition!! Sweet Baby Ray's is the one he chose. It is much like Bone Suckin BBQ Sauce (www.bonesucking.com) made in North Carolina but more flavorful.
If you have a favorite regional BBQ sauce that you want to sent in for the BBQ Sauce Comparison, please send it to: Big Daddy Bob, 185 Betty Lane, Pocahontas, TN 38061.
I've just made up a new batch of dry BBQ seasonings. If I've promised you a package, just send me an reminder e-mail, or if you have one of our "babies" and want some let me know.
While we are on the subject of food:
- Eddyleon Raspberry Jelly Graham Cookies, are "to die for".
- Bertolli Brand products are great, Portobello Mushroom with White Wine Sauce is devine
- elRio Brand Mexican Foods are wonderful, Burrito Seasoning Mix is very good.
- 6:00 AM
Last night some of "our gang" started doing their intruder bark. I had already gone to bed so I dressed and went downstairs to investigate. It was Dingo, the wild dog!!! When I opened the door he took off but returned when I called his name. Fluffy, Boomer & Dumpy were dancing all around him in a happy greeting. He evidently had been holed up through all the bad weather and was about half starved from the looks of him. He was eagerly finishing off the left over softened food we had put out for the "strays that came to stay" so I got him some cooked meat out of the refrigerator. He was far too hungry to eat the dry dog food we keep on the porch. Exceptionally hungry animals will gobble down the dry food but it most cases it won't stay down long - softened dog food or cooked meats have the best chance of staying with them. He let me love on him, he licked my hand and then I turned off the outside light and went back upstairs to let him finish his meal in peace.
Going up the stairs, tears ran down my cheeks as memories of my deceased Angel (mixed shepherd stray) flooded my soul, she had been a friend to all dogs in need. She was the one who befriended him and brought him to our home to eat over a year ago. For 5 months he laid out in the woods too frightened to even let us see him. Finally we made friends, and he became one of "our gang". Then Angel died and Dingo went away, too insecure of his position without his friend around to reassure him.
It rained a little this morning but after that we had clear skies and like a fool when I went to buy a insect sprayer, I bought 10 azaleas!!! Gosh they were only $.99 each so I went crazy. Now, I have to figure out where in the world I'm going to plant them.
Oh my sweet "babies". I just got these pictures today from Floyd T & Michelle, they are of Wyatt and America (a.k.a. Miss B's Dumas & Gabby's Somer).
- 10:00AM
We sure know how Noah felt!! This weather sure keeps us exhausted - foggy headed and tired during the day from lack of sleep at night. We've been through some terribly high winds and horrible rain. The creeks and rivers are way out of their banks, and there has been a lot of flooding in the lower areas with water getting in homes, being across the roads, etc. Here the water is just standing making it very almost impossible to walk in the yard because you sink an inch or 2 with each step and the bullies are refusing to go out to potty. The rain was so hard that it beat down many plants and washed away all the dirt from everything newly planted. I put more dirt around them yesterday, but last night we had more horrible rain that lasted for hours so I suppose I'll have the job to do again. I'm waiting until the cell coming from the South passes before I even look.
- 3:00 AM
Sweet Tater Pie went to howling. It's pouring down raining outside so I know she won't go out to potty. She must have heard something. We just checked the National Weather Radar and it appears a "big one", storm that is, is headed this way and will probably hit about 5-6 AM. If you could see the destruction in Jackson, Tennessee, you would realize it doesn't matter what type of building you are in, if it's coming your way the only safe thing to do is pray.
- 11:00 AM
Wet soggy ground is perfect for planting and pulling weeds out of the flower beds. The only problems I'm having are the animals - Sweet T. Pie got scared of the sucky sound the shovel was making and bolted over my lilies, while The Champ keeps walking off with my trowel or getting his big self in my way!!! Animals, Go Up!!!
Not you, Big Daddy (Bob)! Come back here! You don't get off THAT easy!
- 9:30 AM
Whew!!! The storms have been terrible, but no tornados.
Yesterday, water was almost up to the porch in the back, it was running so fast and furious down the drive. At present, there is no rain and the sky is pretty clear but we are under a "tornado & flood watch" until 1 PM.
If a person was afraid to "meet their maker", they were in sad shape last night!! A giant oak tree beside the pond got hit by lightening, the high winds flattened all my plants, blew hanging baskets off their hooks, sent the ferns which were still in light pots off the porch and caused empty food dishes and anything not anchored to go sailing. "Our gang" got really upset by the noise all of this was making.
I decided there wasn't anything I could do except be grouchy this morning if I didn't get any sleep, so I just put a pillow over my head and slept through most of it!
Don't worry about us, the tornadoes hit about 70 miles north in the Jackson, Tennessee area. Our forecast for most of the week is severe thunderstorms!!
Aren't little Miss Grace & Maggie a matched pair!!! We got this in Friday's email.
We're exhausted from having had company for two days, but we very much enjoyed interacting with the New Puppy Parents and hope they will be comfortable enough to communicate with us about anything... wait a minute there are some personal problems I would prefer not to hear!!
The Beckers brought "our gang" a BIG bag of doggie bones for which we are thankful. Our gang loves them and will nudge my pocket or hand looking for one. The daughter they brought with them and her friend were the type of children that every parent in America wants - intelligent, so very polite, respectful, talkative but not to excess and when they got tired of grownup conversation they excused themselves to go play games in the car. What better conduct could a parent want. Brenda is one "Lucky Lady" - you could see the love and admiration for her in Allen's eyes. They would make wonderful Bully breeders.
Sanjib, originally from India, & Lynn were delightful. The type of people who seem to invite conversation and make you feel they are genuinely interested in everything you have to say. I'm afraid I talked a little too much and put them running late in getting to a motel for the night. I wanted to ask Sanjib so many questions, but My Mamma Gertie taught me - you do not pry by asking questions, when a person is a visitor in your home
Ramel and John came today to look at Willis and it was love at first sight so of course they couldn't leave without him. Ramel works during the day and John normally works at night so Little Willis will never be alone. They will probably be back in a few months to get another pup because we could tell they were going to argue over who gets to hold him. I sure hope Ramel doesn't ready this... I believe Willis favored John!! Just like males to stick together.
All the puppies have gone to their new homes, except the ones that are staying here permanently - 3 of them now aren't we just crazy!!!! Well, I wanted to keep Sugar (5 weeks old in pic), Bob wanted to keep Peanut and we both decided that keeping Counce was the only financially sound thing to do. I'm not sure we considered...the mentally sound thing to do!!! LOL LOL
I've got to run, Bob just got out of the hammock (hanging on the porch) so I'm going to jump in before he can get back!!
Tomorrow we are going to have 2 or 3 sets of people coming to pick up puppies. I'm cooking a repeat menu, because it is easy to fix and hold until people arrive. We're having BBQ Pork Roast, potato salad, cole slaw, and baked beans. If time permits I'll fix a cobbler or pudding. There are three things in this world that Bob & I are passionate about - each other, "our gang" and cooking!! Last night, I fixed a Blond Lasagna (Alfredo Sauce, mushrooms & cheese), and a regular Lasagna. The Blond Lasagna won in the taste test!!! It was wonderful and oh so very easy!!
To All The Owners of PuppyGal Bullies, please don't stop sending me pictures and updates on your Bully. We very much like to hear about our "babies" and if you have a problem, please do not hesitate to call or send an e-mail!!!
I'm taking some "time out" because we have an average of 800 people visiting our website per day!!! I get e-mails from all over the USA and occasionally other countries on a daily basis. I receive an average of 30 per day from people I do not know - wanting to sell me a litter of pups, asking questions about their Bully, begging for a free Bully pup, asking why I won't ship our "babies", some are perverts pretending to be a child, some are cons and some are just plain rude. Most are from lonely people just wanting someone to communicate with via e-mail and once I respond to them, they attach themselves to my e-mail address and will not let go.
I love the pictures on this site http://science.nasa.gov/ppod/archive.html
- 11:00 AM
I've been getting presents from friends - I feel like it's my birthday!
Kim & Donnie of Georgia, proud owners of Sleepy's Leo, sent us the funniest "stuffed Bully". He does the Bully Butt Wiggle and sings the lovesick blues!! We love it!! The Champ just stares at it. (www.TekkyToys.com)
Wayne of Boonville, MS gave us a jar of Bone Suckin BBQ Sauce made in NC. If you are really into BBQ you know the sauce from North Carolina is definitely different from the Tennessee variety. It is much sweeter but ever so good and can have many applications whereas the Tennessee variety is just for BBQ. You might enjoy a visit to their website www.bonesucking.com
While we are on the subject of food 'Sun-Bird' brand fried rice seasoning is great!!!
Great News on Counce! His heart murmur is a non-genetic condition that he should outgrow
by the time he is 6 months old. Dr. Locke of Corinth, Mississippi said no medications were needed
and to treat him as if he were "normal". So what do we do with him? .... You guessed it. We're keeping him
for a future stud since this is not a condition that would be passed on to his
offspring!!! We'll be needing a stud since PepperJack & Elvis will be 8 years old in December. - 6:00 AM
I'm going to be "off line" from 5/15 to 7/15. The website will still be up and I'll post to Events but I'm going to disable the Application and Form Mail functions so I won't get e-mails from unknown people asking questions or wanting information about future litters, etc... For those of you who have one of our "babies" we will be here for you, it just may take a few days to get a response.
We haven't had a vacation in 4 years, we need to finish building the house, plus we need to replenish our vitality by enjoying life a little!!! To this end we are not planning on breeding again until fall and will probably only offer the pups when they are ready to go to their new homes at 8 weeks of age. I can't tell you the effort we put into trying to please people by taking pictures, turning on PuppyCam, etc. only to have the people who have been the most demanding decide at the last minute they can't get the pup, for whatever reason. One person who decided not to get a pup from this last litter had send me 22 e-mails asking all sorts of questions and of course I replied to each. It is just too disheartening for words.
We're going to take some time to smell the flowers, play with "our gang" and watch the wildlife that surrounds us!!!
Earlier today I saw my first Hummingbird of the season. They love my flowers!!! I now have 26 hanging baskets on 3 sides of the porch. I'll make it all the way around soon. This year I'm adding the moisture granules hoping to have to water less than in years past.
- 3:00 AM
The telephone service has been restored. There was a problem with the junction box down the road. Gosh, I just got 47 new e-mails, so there are 117 waiting to be answered.
- 10:00 AM
I don't know how to ACT!!! Out of 18 puppies, we only have 6 here with us now. I've going from running in 3rd gear - washing doggie clothes & dishes, feeding and cleaning up after pups - to all of a sudden not having anything that "has to be done this moment". I found myself standing in the middle of the kitchen with all the "have to" work done and it's only 10 AM!!! I feel like I've been made "Queen For The Day".
Four puppies went to their new homes yesterday. Floyd T & Michelle brought us a variegated Dogwood tree and Devil Doc T-Shirts, how wonderfully thoughtful. They also ending up taking home two of our babies. We had a person change their mind at the last minute about getting one so they talked me into letting them have two. I hope they don't regret it - think about twins going through their terrible twos!! Joel & Damion got their big baby, Diesel. Gina, Phillip and Tyler took home their male puppy from Amber's litter, leaving only poor Counce from that litter. He still has a heart murmur and we have an appointment for him to be evaluated (EKG etc.) on Monday.
Today we are suppose to have another puppy picked up and a friend is bring her female for us to bred to Elvis - we'll take them to the vet for the AI's and when the breeding is finished the female will go back home. BUT with the telephone being out of service, they may not come. I am hopeful they will just think we are outside if they try to call.
When Bob got up to give Saul his medicine in the middle of the night, he came back upstairs a very happy man - Saul no longer has breathing problems!!!! Just as fast as he got sick, he recovered!!! We've been giving him 5 different types of medication, I have prayed, cried, and paced the floor with Saul on my shoulder trying to comfort him when he became terrified because he couldn't breathe. We were afraid he wouldn't make it, now this morning he's barking for food and acting perfectly normal again. We are so very Thankful!!!!
Bob added new pictures of Peanut yesterday. They are down at the bottom of the page.
Today was a busy day!!! Luis from Chicago came to get his pup and spent the day. My father visited for awhile, we had gotten behind in doggie bed washing so I had two washing machines running all day and the lines were kept full, we got quotes from surveyors and fence companies, plus having to take care of all of "our gang". Some critter ate the koi, Mary Ellen brought all the way from NY.
Miss B's Saul is seriously ill and Oh So Beautiful!! We took him to the vet Monday and then back on Tuesday because he was so much worse. He was on my shoulder several times today because he would get frightened when he couldn't breath normally and that caused breathing spasms. Scared us both, so I gave him a sliver of a tranquilizer. Dr Frank called this afternoon to check on him, he said he thinks it was bronchitis and I told him I still thought it was a collapsed trachea. Fortunately the treatment is the same. He approved of the use of the tranquilizer sliver. He's called in some different meds, shots instead of liquid, I'm suppose to pick them up in the morning at Wal-Mart in Corinth.
Dr Frank said if Saul wasn't doing better tomorrow afternoon for me to bring him in for another x-ray to check more closely for the collapsed trachea, which normally happens in small dogs, not Bullies. I don't want to get my hopes up but he is better today than yesterday, I just hope he continues to get better and doesn't relapse.
Life is definite movin' fast!!
Judy
We've got a full day of work ahead!!! A trip to the Vet's, tarps to put up, plants to get settled in the garden, and details to work out on people coming to get their puppies this weekend. Plus I got 6 fresh hens to cook for "our gang" Kroger put them on sale for $.30 per pound after Easter. I bet the wild dog, we call Dingo, will show back up with me slow cooking them in crock pots the next few days. Floyd T & Michelle are coming Saturday morning and I have invited them to make a day of it!!! We'll enjoy their visit I am sure.
Today, I looked down at my garden clogs and realized they were Cinderella Slippers - when I wear them I turn into a different person!! How lucky I am to know the joy of gardening, something I plan to do for a couple of hours today.
Mr Thompson is hopeful that someone who has a male reserved will change their mind, meanwhile we reserved his second choice Miss B's Selmer. He and his wife will be back next Sunday to get their puppy.
I sent an e-mail to our friends Floyd T. & Michelle from Kentucky, telling them that the three girls were available and asking if they wanted me to hold one of them - their Reserved puppy, Dumas, failed his 'well puppy' exam because he has a small trachea but it should grow to catch up with his body in a couple of weeks. If the Vet and I are wrong, I didn't want Floyd & Michelle to miss out on getting a pup therefore I made this offer. They settled on Gabby's Somer and asked about getting both, but I dissuaded them because it would be like having twins in their "terrible twos".
I believe I have most everything worked out now. We have several applications for the last female, but I am just to tired to make a decision, so I'm off to take a nap!!
-9:30 AM
The Beltres of Florida arrived bright and early this morning to get their puppy. The Champ fell in love with Carla, the Mrs, she's so tiny! He found her a stick and gave her his favorite rock! He wanted to go home with them!!! They were delightful and we certainly wish they lived closer.
We have a gentleman from Alabama coming this morning to look at "our gang". He just retired to Alabama from Michigan and is interested in a Bully, but has never been around one, so I told him to come visit and we would tell him everything we know. Although he has family in the area to which he moved, I'm sure he is going through "culture shock" - big Northern city, versus rural Southern living!!!! A Bully Buddy may be just the thing he needs.
The Whites from Florida, plus Josh & Tracy from Delaware have been here today to get their puppies. Our visit with Josh & Tracy was a little shorter than we would have liked, but the Whites took their time visiting. We like for people to take their time, ask questions and feel real comfortable with us so it will be easy to call or e-mail for assistance. We tell everyone, the pup is now theirs, but still ours so we're only an e-mail or phone call away.
8:30 AM
Yesterday was a great day!!! My friends, Mary Ellen, NY and Carol Lynn, SC came to pick up their puppies. I felt like I was at a family reunion attended only by the relatives you like!!! Mary Ellen was accompanied by her sister Nancy whom we found to be of the same sunny disposition. Charles, Carol Lynn's husband came with her. They accompanied each other, both were equally excited to get Maggie. We all chatted and played with puppies for hours.
Mary Ellen brought me KOI, their food, homemade wine, a statue and Chinese Bells for my garden and a wind chime for the porch! She is so very thoughtful!! She and Nancy ate the lunch I had prepared - BBQ Pork Roasts, cole slaw, fried pork chops, potato salad, black-eyed peas and cornbread - and later I fix them a giant "to go" plate. We traded plants and both being avid readers, we traded books.
Bob added new pictures of Peanut this past Monday. They are down at the bottom of the page.
I got this e-mail from my friend Kathy and just had to share it with you. I included my favorite picture of Oboe, a black Pug.
Here's a fun new story about Oboe. With our very recent springlike weather, he and I have
been outside nearly nonstop for several days. By last night, he was exhausted and
staggering on his feet. I set him up next to me to sleep in his little Pottery Barn Kids
armchair - with his big stuffed German shepherd, Jeremy, pulled over him for extra
coziness - while I watched the women's comedy show. I left the room for a bio break, and a
few minutes later he followed - as is his custom - to make sure he wasn't missing
anything. We met in the hallway, and there he was, with Jeremy draped around his neck like
a big fur stole, both ends dragging on the floor. I burst out laughing, and Oboe looked at
me like I was really lame and embarrassing. Then he sauntered into the kitchen for a drink
of water, with Jeremy still slung over his shoulders.- K 4:00 AM
Yesterday, after we finished our morning chores, I went to the nearest "big city", Tupelo, Mississippi which is a 3 hour round trip for dog food. I decided it would also be a "day out" of the house for me since Bob was filing our income tax.
I stopped by the salvage food store on the way and had a wonderful visit with my friend. We have much in common and it was nice to be able to chat when there were no other customers. I came away with brandy and rum mincemeat pie filling which Bob loves. The regular Southern groceries start pulling it off their shelves after New Year's Eve and so it ends up at their store. Next I stopped at a local nursery to look at plants. Oops, I spotted mealy bugs so wouldn't take the chance on buying anything at all, although there were several hanging baskets I lusted after.
PetSmart in Tupelo is my favorite place to purchase our dog food. The price is right, the people are friendly and they appreciate my business. Everyone asked "where have you been" and said they has missed me the last few months. Of course, I normally buy 11 very large bags of dog food every two weeks so you can't help but notice me, especially if you have to transport these to my van.
This Friday, my dear friend Mary Ellen of NY is coming to get her two female puppies. She has become a Bully Addict and hopes to become a breeder. I am going to fix
Once home unloaded everything but the dog food, put it away, took care of the puppies and answered 41 e-mails. We have four groups of people coming to pick up puppies this weekend so I have to continue to try to establish order among all these dogs and puppies.
Up at 5 AM yesterday and having put in what seemed a full day's work before we headed out for the vet's office making two trips to have 16 puppies x-rayed and examined, I was totally exhausted after we got home. I managed to feed and clean up after the puppies before deserting Poor Bob. I crawled into bed at 5 PM and didn't wake up until 2:00 this morning only because I was cold, so I turned off the attic fan and went back to sleep. I didn't get up again until 6:30 AM...I must have really needed all that sleep!!!
We took Peanut to the Vet with us. He's doing just fine and his ankle is almost back to normal. Once he started on his long grown spurt he was just growing too fast. He weighs 12.5 lbs and is now 3 months old!!! What we did to correct the problem was give him Pet-Cal and switch his food to Science Diet Puppy Food. He is a bright red color like his Mother, whereas Sugar Cookie, 15 lbs, took after Mini-E and is bronze.
Leon is back to his normal self. Feeling a bit too good from what I hear, he decided to go off on an adventure by himself. Fortunately, he was unharmed and wasn't kidnapped in the process. Remember, English Bulldogs are the #1 stolen dog in the USA!!!!
Gina & Phillip are WONDERFUL!!!! Bob and they worked like "Bulldogs" yesterday!!! I was just kinda there, taking care of the puppies, etc. Our house is once again looking like a home; the goldfish pool with it's new liner and fresh water, is awaiting the Koi which Mary Ellen is bring this coming weekend; fallen limbs have been burned; Dumpy's home for the winter- a love seat we thought we had securely stored on the front porch, has been taken to the dump, along with many other odds and ends I've brought in here. Phillip kept saying "You aren't going to throw that away, are you!" and I kept saying "If you don't want it thrown away, put it in your truck." They left with an overflowing truck and today are probably wondering, what in the world they are going to do with it!!!
Friday - 04/11/03 - 4:00 PM
Sugar Cookie, Smart Cookie & Mini-E's puppy, sailed through her minor operation. It was a very small hernia but I just elected to go ahead and have it surgically repaired. She's staying here with us. Although she is not registered, she is beautiful and is going to be the corner stone of my Mini-Bulldog Breed!!!!
- 10:00 AM
100 feet of clothesline are covered with sheets bellowing in the wind, the puppies have been fed twice, newspaper changed out twice with many laid down in-between, food is soaking for the next feeding, the 6 grown Bullies in the house have been taken for a walk and beds/sheets changed, the dryer has been running all morning because the puppy sweatshirt beds are too thick to dry on the line, the dishwasher is on the second load of Bully dishes which were prewashed in the sink by hand, I drank a cup of coffee while sending out e-mails in an attempt to sort out delaying puppy release dates.... the pace will be like this all day long.
- 6:00 AM
Another week has flown by!!! When you're busy cleaning puppy poop you don't have time to look up at the clock, you eat when you feel faint and sleep when you can't go on. I'm ready for the job to be over but I've decided to delay release of the puppies by a week. We just need another week together so I can observe them to insure they are as healthy as can be before they are released to their new Puppy Parents. With this many puppies it is just hard to keep up with their needs and observe them closely.
Bob's taking Sugar in to have a hernia operation this morning. She is adorable or should that be adorabull !!! Fiesty, smarty pants who makes you laugh. She's going to be little like Mini-E also. Peanut went to the vet yesterday just to make sure we were doing the right thing for his little ankle that is turning outward, due to rapid growth. He is too cute for words and has pretty much caught up with his sister in size. She picks on him until he really gets mad and gives her "whatfor". I asked Bob to take a picture of Sweet T Pie, The champ, Peanut and Sugar going out in single file to potty. The two younger ones haven't gotten the hang of it yet but they will soon.
Tomorrow is another "Helpin' Crew Work Day". Phillip and Gina are coming to help us finish getting our environment in order. I have the tasks that I hate on my list to finish today and if I am successful, I will reward myself by buying flats of annual flowers to plant in the pots on the porches.
I hope you have a Bully Butt Wiggle Day and a wonderful weekend!! - Judy
Update On Leon: "Leon is doing fine now, an incredible contrast with the pitiful, gasping lump he was on Sunday morning." We are all so Thankful!!
Breeding - We weren't going to breed again until the fall but.... Brooks is ready to be bred and since she sat out her last heat and 'age wise' she is near retirement, I decided to go ahead and breed her for the last time. I have selected Mr. Big Stuff to be the sire of her litter. The puppies will be larger with very sweet temperments. He is a big teddy bear and she's the most gentle female we have. There won't be any other females bred for a while so she will reign as Queen. (10 AM - I'm already having inquiries about this potential litter. Brooks is CKC so the pups will be. We are selling our CKC for $900.)
PS I have to share the following e-mail:
I thought you would like to know that my god-daughter came over yesterday, she will be 4
in a few weeks and is quite precocious.After playing in the kitchen with Henry she informed me that we should get our money back for him, because Henry is really a baby pig and not a dog! She said we got tricked!! I asked her why she thought he was a baby pig and she said “He eats like one and he snorts like one too, and anyone could tell he was a pig by his tail.” She closed by asking “Don’t you know anything”?
I almost died laughing. Kids do say the darndest things!!
Best,Mary Lynn
Tuesday - 04/08/03 - 8:30 AM
The Dogwood Trees sprinkled throughout the woods are in bloom, the small Azaleas I planted a 2 years ago are covered in flowers and the buds are swelling on the wild Azaleas along the bank of the pond. The trees are leafing out and if you look closely there are tiny, tiny wild flowers all along the edges of the woods.
Fluffy, Boomer & Dumpy are scamping about snake hunting. Boomer, beagle mix, wanted rabbit for breakfast but Fluffy refused to help him in the hunt and Dumpy said he wasn't because Boomer never let him eat any of the catch.
Please say a prayer for Leon and his family, he has been in the hospital with pneumonia.
He is one of our Chicago Area Bulldogs, brother to The Champ, offspring of Miss B & Pepper Jack.
He was scheduled to go home last night. We haven't gotten an update so far this morning. Last
week while playing on the doggie beach he decided to try swimming with the big dogs and might
have gotten some of the water into his lungs. The vets I'm sure will give
them more information. Update From Kathy: Our regular vet now thinks it wasn't pneumonia, but rather inhaled food (or vomit) to his lungs. He's going to keep him until noon today, and then John will check to see if he's OK and probably bring him home. His blood count was fine yesterday and he has lots of pep this morning. Only a cough once in a while. Now the treatment is to prevent it from happening again. If we can't, then a specialist would examine the flap between the food and air passages. So we're to keep him from swallowing the rawhide pieces that cause him to vomit. That would mean remove them from the premises entirely, in my opinion. What do you think? (My response was "no more rawhide")
As soon as the morning chores are finished we are taking pictures of all the puppies. They should be posted by the middle of the afternoon.
For you I wish, A Bully Butt Wiggle Day!!!
Comments From Owners of our Bullies:
From Brenda, who is owned by Miss Blossom:
Our vet goes ballistic when you even mention the word rawhide in his presence. He said moreowing small pieces of rawhide no matter what form, sticks, strips, bones, etc. In other words, if I had a problem with Miss Blossom and a piece of rawhide I had better be prepared to face the consequences when I see him. Most likely he would take her. He says it is abuse. He feels that strongly. I sure hope their dog gets better. You might want to pass this along.
From Mary Ellen, owned by Paducah and has another one reserved:
..."HERE HERE" to the advice on the rawhide.I will never have another one enter this home. Eventually, they try to eat it because it gets so soft and could get stuck in the dogs throat. I happen to be watching Paducah one day chewing on a rawhide and she treated it like food trying to gobble it down..I said that is enough!
A note on allergies: If you think your dog is allergic to plastic that means "all plastic". I just changed her dishes to metal..not realizing she has plastic toys, nylabones etc. Once I eliminated these her rash cleared right up.
4:00 PM Leon Update!! (picture with Oboe was taken in 12/02)Hi, Judy. John has brought Leon home, and he's looking in the pink of health. Our regular vet now thinks that it definitely wasn't pneumonia, because of the very sudden onset, the absence of a cough, and the fact that he was nearly fully recovered in one day. He has concluded, therefore, that Leon vomited from something he ate, and that some of the vomit went into his lungs. The medication that he will take for a week is to kill any microbes that might still be in his lungs. He's not allowed to roughhouse with Oboe for that same period, even though it's very clear that he would like to! And no more rawhide bones, forever!
Thanks so much for your support. The Chicago Area Bullie troops rallied round.(Note from Judy - I sent all the Chicago Area Bully Owners an e-mail)- Kathy
Sunday - 04/06/03 - 3:30 PM
Thousand Island Dressing
Saturday - 04/05/03 - 8:30 PM
It rained last night but the sun came out in all it's glory very early this morning. We had wonderful weather for our Work Day. Kim e-mailed to say Chuck and his sons started out at 6 this morning but only made it half way here before their van's axle broke. They spent the day in a small town getting it repaired, getting back home around 6 P.M. Phillip, Gina and Tyler worked with us all day and much was accomplished but we're going to have to finish up next weekend because full dumpsters prevented us hauling off "stuff".
Mike and Lori from New York were stuck on the I-65 into Nashville for 3-4 hours and therefore didn't get here until about 7 PM to get Hamlet. They stayed only an hour before heading back home. Since it was dark, they didn't get the complete tour but they did meet Hamlet's mommy, Kate, and daddy, Big Stuff, and many of "our gang".
We felt bad when four year old Tyler started crying because he wanted to spend the night
here with The Champ instead of going home with this parents. It was love at first sight
between the two. Champ followed Tyler everywhere, stopped when Tyler stopped and walked when
Tyler walked. Too cute by far!!!
More Pictures of Tyler & The Champ
We've just now sat down for the day, exhausted but pleased. Our spirits have certainly been lifted!!
A Major Bully Butt Wiggle Day!!!
Friday - 04/04/03 - Noon
We're having a heat wave!!! The temperature is suppose to be near 80 today and it is already a little too warm in our upstairs bedroom, my computer's location.
Yesterday, for the first time in two months, I felt like going with Bob to the closest town, 30 miles away, to do some shopping. We got pork roasts to BBQ for sandwiches, cabbage for cole slaw, and other fixin's to feed the Helpin' Crew who will be here tomorrow. If things turns out well, I'll probably make BBQ Spaghetti as well.
We just replaced our main washing machine two months ago and now the "dog" washing machine went out so I called and ordered one from Lowe's to be delivered, tomorrow. In addition, friends are coming from NY to get their puppy, Hamlet. Tomorrow is going to be one busy day!!! I'll just be grateful if it doesn't rain.
Got to run clean up puppy poop........
Thursday - 04/03/03 - 8:00 AM
The high for today is supposed to be lower 70's!! We've been having great weather. However there is a good possibility that we're going to have rain from today through Monday which may rule out yard work this weekend. This is the weekend Gina, Phillip, Chuck & Kim are coming to give us a helping hand. I've been trying to pick up, put up and thrown away but the puppies are getting more demanding by the hour.
Yesterday, Amber was unable to walk !!!
There had been no indications of anything being
wrong with her. Bob just scooped her up and took her to the vet. She has severe calcium
depletion so we had to stop letting the puppies nurse. The vet gave her a long slow
calcium injection. For those of you getting one of Amber's or Gabby's puppies please go
ahead and get a baby pacifier for them to suck on instead of your fingers. Early weaning
most often results in need for oral gratification, a pacifier helps to reduce/prevent
"oral ance/prevent
"oral anxiety".Miss Ellie With Her Pacifier
Puppies are calling...
Tuesday - 04/01/03 - 6:00 PM
Today is April Fools' Day, well maybe I am!!
I woke the Bullies up this morning singing a rowdy song!!! They went from sleep straight to a Bully Butt Wiggle, barking out "Mama's Back". Yep, their Mama's back in full force and it's been 6-12 months since I've had this much energy. The Spring season and getting a handle on my heart condition, certainly was a positive combination, but the "kick start" was the fire. Sometime the Good Lord resorts to drastic measures to make us realize what is truly important in our lives.
My exercise routine is 20 minutes of dancing to old Rock N' Roll every morning. These pups had never seen me dance before:
-The Champ wanted to join in the fun, you should see him NOW!!
-Peanut headed for cover, convinced the world was coming to an end
-Sugar Cookie wanted to catch my feet
-Cleo was alert to my movements, cause she didn't want to "go up", poor sick baby!!
-Hamlet just sat and watched.
Sunday - 03/30/03 - 6:00 PM
I've been throwing away plastic stuff - Tupperware, Rubbermaid, etc. the lids of which are all over the place so I couldn't find the one to fit if I did decide to store food in them. From now on I'm using zip lock bags.
In the middle of this frenzy, Bob said, "Honey, what's this all about?"
So I just told him, "When you face death smack dab in the face twice within 3 months (first I almost had a heart attack and then the fire), it must be a sign from the Good Lord telling me to make life simple, I'm starting with the house!!!"
He ambled off telling the dogs, "We better watch our
step".
9:00 AM
Gracious, it is full-time puppy poop clean up here!!! The puppies are getting big. Miss B has weaned hers and one of them is pooping all the time. We're still getting up in the middle of the night to feed them all mushy food and let two litters nurse. Needless to say, that means cleaning up afterward. They had their second preventive wormer yesterday and all appear to be doing GREAT!!! Miss B's babies are a little skinny right now to suit me but that is just a fact when there is a litter that big. They should fatten up in the coming weeks and be little butterballs by the time the leave to go to their new homes.
A doctor once told me to listen to my body because it will tell me what food it needed - I ate a can of spinach for breakfast!! I can remember eating an odder breakfast once: as we sat on a beach in Progresso, Mexico watching the sun come up we snacked on smoked shark wrapped in tortilla's purchased from a native market.
A "Bully Butt Wiggle" Day to you!!!
Friday - 03/28/03 - 9:00 AM
Thursday - 03/27/03 - 9:00 AM
Some of my friends that are close by are coming to my rescue!!! They will be here on Saturday 4/5 to spend the day doing everything they can to help put my life in order.
Those of you who have been here will certainly get a laugh out of the below:
I'm trying to take positive steps. I'm such a pack rat but I've got the right attitude now, so I'm throwing away all the non-essential "stuff" in this house.
- Never again will I buy more than a small bag full of groceries, it's just Bob & I!!
- Never again will I bid in an online auction...well.
- Never again will I take it home, just because someone said, "Do you want this?" Now it's cluttering my house instead of their house.
- I will always remember: a bargain is not a bargain if you already have a 2 year supply.
- Clothes, I don't need any, I'll become a nudist...it will save on washing.
(My attempt at humor... I just had to add that. I sent this to the above friends in an e- mail and they thought it was a hoot!!)
Wednesday - 03/26/03 - 7:30 PM
GREAT NEWS!!! This is the first day in 3 months that I have been able to work all day. Not being able to put in a full day of work has just about taken it's toll on me mentally. I am so pleased with my progress!!! Of course, I probably over did it today but it will be worth whatever minor set back I might have.
10:00 AM
I've sent out e-mails to two families who live not too far away and have our Bullies, asking them for HELP!!!! I had to shed my embarrassment and the Southern Pride woven into my soul, in order to survive.
Tuesday - 03/24/03 - 2:06 AM
Shake my head, take a deep breath and try to see the reason in things that have happened to "our little piece of heaven".
That is where I am this morning. I take it as a positive sign, that I am able to think so deeply after all that has happened.
Judy
- 1:00PM
Fire purifies the earth and fear makes us realize what is important, purification of the mind.
Monday - 03/23/03 - 8:38 PM
We're OK!!
Sunday - 03/22/03 - 12:38 PM
Kids caught the woods on fire, it's all around the pond and coming this way, PLEASE PRAY!!!!
1:00 PM
The pond prevented the fire from coming straight at the front of the house. The Volunteer Fire Department has arrived and are spreading out hose. We've moved all the Bullies that were in harms way onto the front porch, they are going crazy. It's hard to handle them, it's brute strength to lead them around to the porch and into a crate. They don't want to be confined.
Oh God I'm scared, but I refuse to give way!!! I'm suppose to avoid stress!!!!!!!!!!!! It can't get much worse than this.
1:23 PM
The Forestry Department has arrived with
bulldozers, the fire is moving west, but if the winds change it could engulf the house
and kennel in minutes. We have propane gas tanks. I've turned the overhead water spray on in the kennel, installed
for just this reason. The fire is so close it's getting really hot. I've got the water hoses
ready if I need to spray down the Bullies to prevent heat stoke.The fire has circled around us on 3 sides, less than 100 yards from the house, 30 yards from the kennel.
2:22 PM
We're safe, the fire has been put out!!! It was within 10 feet of my parent's home.
I've filed an arson report. Now I can cry - out of fear watching helplessly as everything we have could go up in flames; I would be unable to save all of "our gang" my mind flicked to which ones I would favor if it came to that...the thought tore at my heart; out of caring for the kids who were probably responsible. Their problems are bigger than I can handle.
The smoldering fires have burnt themselves out, probably 30 acres of pasture and trees have been completely destroyed.
Sorry to be so emotional..
9:50 PM
Poor thing, I had to wake Bob up and tell him there was a fire the size of a small camp fire burning in the woods. I have a keen sense of smell so I had been out on the porch to see if I could see what my nose was smelling. It was a stump on the other side of the fire line, he put it out with 2 large buckets of water and a rake.
We're leaving the attic fan running although it will be down to 40 tonight...even though I might doze I will be alerted to fire.
Saturday - 03/22/03 - 8:00 AM
The demands upon us from the puppies are increasing daily plus we are working hard to insure we find the best possible homes for them. To those of you have a puppy reserved, we appreciate your patience, you are wonderful. Those who were not patient after I explained my health situation, got their deposit returned. As most of you are aware, I have been very ill but am making progress daily.
I have received many, many pictures from the owners of our Bullies and will post them shortly. Some of the stories have had us laughing out loud, which is the best possible medicine. We every much appreciate getting updated information on our "babies", it makes it all worthwhile!!!
This week I've gotten many applications to be a Puppy Parents and my usual amount of "hate" mail from those to whom I responded that I did not feel one of "ours" would be right for their environment. I've gotten wonderful e-mails from people telling me they enjoy our website, others shared stories of their "crew", and one was a special "Thank You" from a man who facing a life crisis turned to our puppy pictures to make him smile. I've been asked questions, given information, told about tragedies and received many "it's been a long time" e-mails. Plus I received two which told me I had inspired them to make their lives better, the steps they had taken and how appreciative they were.. it had never entered my mind that I might be an inspiration to someone. I have sent 194 response e-mails. With rare exception, everyone who writes gets a response.
Today, our objective is to turn on the PuppyCam and take updated pictures of some of the pups.
Judy
When I sat down at my computer to check e-mails all is quiet, "our gang" are all taking naps; there are no radio or TV sounds in the background. All that is to be heard is the clicking of my computer keys, then the modem dialing in for a line. Almost immediately, there is the responding call of Ladder-backed Woodpecker, perched on the side of the tree outside my window, anxious to mate with the beauty tapping out a love call from within my house. He waits a minute and calls again....
That's a pretty good indicator that this is going to be a weird day.
In times like these our souls are in need of nourishment. Those of us who believe in God, find solace in prayer asking for guidance, protection and strength. In times of my greatest need, I find comfort in knowing the Good Lord has given me the will to endure and the intelligence to chart the best course of action for my personal needs. We have a special relationship, I take care of his 'fallen angels' and he never gives me more than I can handle, although sometime I walk the edges of Hell.
The most tangible of comforting things he has given me is the appreciation of the aroma of food meant to nourish my body and buoy my soul, making me feel comfortable and secure. In times of my greatest need, I turn to Southern Cooking.
Judy
This world crisis reminds me of my "strays that came to stay". Our 5 heard movement in the underbrush, they were all on the porch barking their heads off. As soon as the first of the neighbor's dogs showed itself, Dumpy jumped to the ground ready to defend us, Fluffy scampered down to back him up while the other three who had barked so loud and sounded so tough, stayed on the porch (- France, Germany and Russia).
I don't like war, but I believe there comes a time when you've got to get off the porch, face the threat and fight if you must. I'm trusting in the Good Lord and our leaders, for just like me they are giving the warning "Get Out Of Here". When I yelled, the neighbor's dogs took off, I hope President Bush's warning will be as effective.
Judy
The Champ Is Ready!
The Champ was feeling ready for action this morning! He ran around investigating the spring flowers, Dumpy, Boomer and Fluffy (his favorite!) I put his Camo hat on but that didn't last long... So it has been put back on his head by magic photo! -- Bob
New Pictures - Amber's Litter
Along about dusk, the Dingo came visiting. Fluffy, Boomer & Dumpy were overjoyed to see him. They all ran around the yard area acting like fools then went on a chase into the woods. You could just hear them say "We were so worried about you. We need you to stay here to help protect everyone! You won't believe what we saw in the woods........"
We've been up since 3:30 AM feeding puppies, so it's back to bed for a short nap, "our gang" will want to be let out as soon as the sun comes up.
Click here to view "Adventures of The Champ" movie clip.
Download time is 30 minutes.
In this one, he's chasing a spray of water. Please be assured that this is not one of his normal activities because he could re-injure himself. We allowed this, one time only, because we wanted you to see how well he is doing!!!
6:00 AM
After a bully goes potty, they naturally kick off with one back leg and then the other. Nothing remarkable about that... EXCEPT when it's the Champ. It's a major feat, a milestone, a sign post! He's still shaky, reminding me of a little boy learning how to roller skate but he DID IT!! He made it around the ring once, now there's no stopping him, he'll do it again.
Eight weeks ago, we got him back from his former owners, an injury had caused him to lose control of his hindquarters and his bladder. The Champ was flat on his tummy pulling himself around with his front legs and NOW he's just about there! One more goal for this 7 month old Bulldog, raising his leg to mark his territory and his therapy will be complete.
God Bless Bob, who has spent countless hours teaching The Champ how to walk again. I'm so proud of them both!!!
Saturday, Peanut Butter Cookie's big brother, Oatmeal Cookie, went to his new home in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. Christina got happy tears in her eyes when she saw him! 'Oatie' (short for Oatmeal Cookie which is a mouthful - excuse the metaphor) likes girls and Chris was crazy about him too.
I met them in Tupelo, Mississippi since I had to go there to buy dog food. I
took Oatie's sister, Sugar Cookie, so Chris and her friend, Dawn, could meet her. Dawn,
who came along to drive, was totally a "cat person" until Sugar won her heart. Sugar had
a "fussy fit" when Dawn put her down. She wanted to go home with her. Sugar would look
straight at Dawn and fussed at her as if to say, "Pick me back up! Take me home with
you!!" Naturally they wanted to buy her and I hated to say "No".
Day Out For Chicago Area PuppyGal Bullies, plus Oboe, a black Pug!
Click Here For More Pictures of Bulldogs romping in the snow!!!
8:00 AM
Updated Last Night - Adventures of Peanut!
Written By "Mama Bob" Especially for Bronson & Alec!
Click Here - To Enter Peanut's World!!
Up for a 2 AM feeding puppies, I checked my e-mails before crawling back to bed. There I found an emotionally distraught e-mail telling me in graphic detail that a 3 year old male Bully Bred By PuppyGal had been hit by a car and killed. This intact male had gone out to go potty - running free in a new area without a fence or anyone watching him. Every time I closed my eyes this scenario played out in my mind so I have been unable to go back to sleep.
We were up for a long time in the wee hours of the morning feeding puppies, etc. so when I finally got back to sleep, I slept like a log, oops in this case it should have been dog - Bulldog that is!!! (little attempt at humor) Can you tell I'm on the verge of a "Bully Butt Wiggle" attitude.
I e-mailed McDonald's to tell them about the wonderful attitude the lady who works the drive-in window, at their Bolivar, TN location, displays to all of her customers, the operative word here being "her". Please take the time to compliment upper management on good service and positive attitudes. Most of the time they only receive complaints.
Peanut is such a stinker!!! At a point in time if he continues to make progress, he will be placed in a loving, protective home but that decision is several weeks away. Click Here - To Enter Peanut's World!!
I told Bob he should try to get Peanuts stories published, then he and Peanut could go visit with lots of children and make them smile. I call him "little goober" when he does something cute. If only you could have seen the look on his face when all the puppies were getting under him "trying to find dinner" he kept going higher and higher with his feet off the ground and since there were so many of them they kept him level. He looked at me like "look what they're doing". I just reached over and picked him up. When I've put the little pups in with him, to clean their box, he just licks and licks them. He loves them so much...or maybe he just tastes milk on them!! I want to believe he loves them.
Have a wonderful day!!!
Judy
Here at Dogwood Pond, we are ready for Spring! I told Bob, the Buttercups were blooming so we needed to take the snowflakes off the website! The time has arrived for new beginnings, elimination of irritations, spring house cleaning and making plans for the future!!
Can you tell I feel better!? An enlarged heart is a wicked thing but I can now breathe deeply without my heart hurting and I can do some work without getting too exhausted due to lack of oxygen. My meds need to be tweaked, but I'm getting there.
Judy
The Champ's Great Chase - we let him outside to do "his business" occasionally checking on him. This morning his free spirit took over and he led Bob on a chase, down the drive almost to the mailbox, 1/4 mile away from the house. At first he was following Boomer, then Fluffy sped past so he got his motor running and was good for the chase. He can't run but a few steps, but he had his whole heart into the race so he would bunny hop a few times, switch to his newly acquired run, then do a fast walk. Finally, he was just doing a fast hustle. He heard Bob calling, looked over his shoulder, decided Bob had joined the game and since Fluffy was long gone, his goal was to stay ahead of Bob. At least that had better be what he was thinking, instead of just being a stubborn teenager!!
Finally, Bob overtook him. Look at the picture below. The Champ was in about the same position as the Dingo, when he joined the game. Then notice way down on the left side of the drive, before the last curve there is a black stump. That is how far he went!!!
All this from a Bully the vets wanted to "put down" because he was cripple!!!
Wednesday night, I went downstairs to check on Bob because he had been gone for a long time. Here's this 65 year old man sitting cross-legged in a child's wadding pool with a big pouty mama, Gabby, half on his lap, with one puppy nursing. He has a turkey sandwich in one hand, he takes a bite, then tears off Gabby a hunk. She was afraid of her puppies so he decided it was time to hug her up tight and give her maximum comfort. He did this same routine through 4 puppies. It worked, she is much much better now although he still has to have his bare feet in the pool, she rests her head on one and he rubs the side of her head and neck with the other.
8:00 AM
The Champ has the Bully Butt Wiggle almost mastered!!! This morning he started doing it!! Only if you have a Bully can you truly know what this is all about. Basically, the Bully's posture is stiffer than normal with a very firm stance, the tail starts to wiggle - only the tail, the hips engage and start moving in joy, then total happiness takes over, spreading that wiggle down to their back feet!!
I cooked chicken all night in the crock pots so The Dingo came by to eat breakfast. I'm sure he isn't too far away, not with lots of chicken to be eaten. He's probably laying out in the underbrush waiting to hear me call "Kitty, Kitty", then he'll come running.
Thursday - 02/27/03 - 8:00 AM
The Dingo is ALIVE!! Early this morning when Bob was walking Happy, he appeared. Not close enough to see his eye, but Bob said he appeared to be physically strong. I wish he would just stay here, so he would be safe, but there is no way to contain a "wild dog".
If I can just get my hands on him, Bob has a antibiotic shot ready. Goodness, I hope he won't bite.
Saturday - 02/22/03 - 4:00 PM
Dingo, is running around in the woods with a half shot out eye and I can't catch him. I had my hands on him and
told Bob to hurry with the leash, it scared him half-crazy so he took off.Dingo's doesn't belong to anyone...he's a wild dog but he loved Angel so he hung around out in the underbrush for 5 months before we finally made friends. It took a lot of work to get him to trust me and I believe "the lead" destroyed the trust. If you saw Dingo hanging around your house you would probably get frightened. I can see where someone would be scared of him and if they had children be afraid for their safety... but I'm afraid he's going to die. I'm blaming myself for not being more careful, it just scared me so bad when I called him to me and his eye was hanging open. I wanted to get him to the vet's quickly. I forgot he was wild and always would be.......
Friday - 02/21/03 - 10:30 AM
Good News! The Champ has started to run! Just 2-3 steps yesterday and this morning, but we're sure he'll continue until he can keep up with "the love of his life", Fluffy our spayed Miniature American Spitz.
He loves to bury his face in her long white hair, but she just views him as an ugly, mashed faced, juvenile pest, with buck teeth and a tongue that quivers when he gets near her. When he comes close she teases him by allowing him to rub his face on her once, then she looks at him in disgust and scampers off...nose high in the air.
There Bob and I stood, with the pride of breeder, parenthood and therapist swelling our hearts!!! It's moments like this that make it all worth while.
Champ now has a "teenage attitude" - I'm a big boy and I'll do what I want. We just laugh at him!!! It's great to see him like he is now instead of how he first arrived!! He wants to stay outside with the "strays that came to stay" as shown in the movie clip, but we're afraid he will get off into the woods and we won't be able to find him.
Looking to the future when Champ will be able to run too far, Bob put a British Training Leash around his neck to get him use to being lead. Well, he just turn his little "attitude" on and gave Bob a look of defiance! I could see this spoiled brat was going to be a challenge so I just got down in his face and gave his look right back to him!!! What a stinker!!!
Thursday - 02/20/03 - 1:00 PM
This movie clip of The Champ is remarkable, especially if you view the earlier clip first.
I'm guessing he has recovered 90% of the movement he formerly had. When we got him back, 5
weeks ago, from the former owners, he was pulling himself around by his front legs, the
other part of his body was flat on the floor and his bladder leaked all the time.We are truly amazed at the positive results of his Physical Therapy and Vitamin/Mineral Regiment. These clips are proof positive of what determination can achieve. I would love to show them to every kid in America!!!
02/22/03 Click here to view movie clip "The Adventures of The Champ".
Download time is 30 minutes.
We had to run the camera longer so you could get the full impact of his progress
01/24/03 Click here to view movie clip of The Champ "barely walking".
Download time 20 minutes.
Someone is always asking, "Are all Bullies laid back?"
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Why I'm Nicknamed PuppyGal
"We have one mission in life, and that mission is to love" - Mother Theresa