Puppy Gal Welcomes You To
Judy's Journal....
I started this feature for friends and family to answer their
"What's going on?" emails,
therefore, I probably tell too much,
but you are
welcome to laugh, cry and sigh with us.
"Life is too short to deal with ugly acting people!"
Sunday - 11/30/03 - 7:00 PM CST
We just took it easy today!!!!
- Stephen, a neighbor who is getting one of the Amber's pups came over to pick one. He chose the fawn colored larger pup and is going to name her Baby Ruth.
- Sleepy is due to deliver any day and I'm guessing she will have 3-4 puppies.
Happy Birthday To Me!!! Happy Birthday To Me!!
Today, I'm 57 years old and I woke up with a smile on my face . .what more can a person hope for. My life isn't perfect but I surely am thankful for the parts that are!! - Judy
Don't Shop Until You Drop. . All Your Money!!!
Thursday - 11/27/03 - 6:00 AM CST
Bob just could not help himself, he had to take pictures of the "babies" for you.
Brenda, human mother of our Brutus who's always in trouble, has confessed to doing a very 'Lucy Thing' and after reading her email, I am awarding her the "2003 Lucy Award". Not even I topped her this year. When you read her email, please remember they have 4 Great Danes, Brutus The Bully and an honest to goodness full sized stuffed Bear in their living room..(lol lol lol)
At 7 AM it was only 29 degrees, too cold for me and the Bullies. On Thursday, Amber's three precious little girls will certainly be on our list of things for which we are Thankful!! The number one thing on my personal list is Bob. I've always felt God sent him to me because he knew I needed him and I do.
Bob has been getting up every 2 hours to put the babies with Amber to nurse and he is very pleased with their progress as well as Amber's motherly attitude. He can't wipe the smile off his face when he starts talking about them favoring Bizkit and the 'littlest' one having an underbite already!
If you have never tried a Cajun Smoked Turkey, please do yourself a favor and cook one on Thursday. Cooking a turkey is easy .. just throw it in a Reynold's Turkey Bag, cook according to directions and eat!!! Tentatively, we're planning on having Smoked Turkey stuffed with Chicken & Cornbread Dressing (last time I cooked dressing I made sure I had enough to put in the freezer so our Thanksgiving Day would be as hassle free as possible), Cranberry Pepper Relish, potato salad or stewed potatoes depending upon our attitude, stuffed eggs, green beans slow simmered with country ham, a fresh cooked loaf of bread (via a bread machine) and bread pudding with Jack Daniels' Sauce.
Reading the above Menu I'm sure you are thinking that we will be spending the morning in the kitchen, but actually it's an hour's effort and we (humans and Bullies) will snack on the goodies well into next week so it's worth the effort.
Holiday Season Bluntness - jealous family members and false friends wound us deeply so don't subject yourselves to them in hopes that this time it will be different, it won't. Be self-wise, protect both yourself and your family by staying away from these people ... "Leopards don't change their spots". This Holiday Season curl up with PussyCats & Bullies instead of Ugly Acting People - Judy
Bob says:
Amber lost her appetite -- even for her favorite - turkey! Her temperature dropped to 99 degrees. And she started panting so Judy and I took off to the vet's with Amber and an hour later brought home three little girls and a sleepy Amber. They are simply adorable with King Bizkit's facial features and coloring. The trip wore Judy out (too much activity too soon after being sick) so she's back in bed. Amber's milk came in and the pups are nursing nicely!
I secured the old homestead yesterday with fiberglass, plastic, duct tape, and a new storm door. The cold front came through about midnight but we were ready for it!. The bullies were warm, the flowers and plants were warm and Judy was also! Tonight will be the test -- it's supposed to be down to 26 degrees.
Written by Judy: We are so proud of Bill, who had his knee replaced less than four weeks ago and now he's not only walking but on Thursday we was able to mount his beloved horse, Beauty! What will and determination he possesses. The love, comfort and support Jan gives him enabled him to succeed!!! It does our heart proud to see such a loving, nurturing couple
| Hi There! Just checking in; hope you all are well. Bill rode Beauty for a little while Thursday; she started out very careful then she decided he was ok so she started her usual stunts. Everything went well but I forgot the camera. Take care. Jan |
Super Bill! |
Bob says: Judy's fever broke! (Thanks one and all for the Emails) -- Amber says she'll wait until her mommy is ready to help whelping --
'Nod', the little male puppy, is still available -- Judy hasn't picked the perfect parent since
she hasn't been to the computer yet but as soon as she is out of bed she will.
Bob says: Judy is still sick in bed with chills and fever -- AND Amber is ready to whelp -- Judy has visions of meeting the vet in her nightgown with a barf bag in hand...
As you can tell, 'Lucy' hasn't lost her sense of humor...
Have a busy and productive Saturday and love on your bulldogs! Check their ears, nails and eyes.
Use 'No tears' shampoo when you shower with your Bully.
Yuck!!! - Judy
I'm still not feeling well, but I am better!!! I have many unanswered inquiries about Nod. He, Bob and I snuggled up on the counch to watch a DVD yesterday. Have a Good Day!!! - Judy
What a heck of a way to loose weight!!! I've got some kind of digestive system distress which makes the thought of food, repulsive. I know, if I could bottle it I would make a million dollars, but right now all I want to do is get over it. I'm crawling back in bed and hopefully will sleep this off!!! I'll be in touch when I get up. - Judy
Good Morning!!! This is the forth day of rain. The other days have been off and on raining, but today is a "gully washer". For those of you who are not familiar with the term, the rain is coming down so hard that all the gullies/ditches which are normally dry will be filled with water and whatever has accumulated,leaves, twigs, etc., will be washed further down toward a stream or lake.
- The wild dog, Dingo has abandoned the wet woods in favor of our porch.
- We got soaking wet while walking "our gang". The Bullies that normally just run out, take care of their business and come back in, didn't want to get off the porch, so we had to put them on a lead and take them walking.
- The Bullies are tracking in mud and leaves so it's a constant challenge to keep the floors anywhere near clean.
- The finishing of the stairway had to be put on hold because the stain and finish can't be applied on humid or rainy days.
I suppose the Good Lord gives us days like this so we are forced to take it easy and recoup our strength. It's a perfect day for Bob and I to snuggle in with a book or watch a DVD. I hope you can make the best of your day - Judy
Whew!!! We had a hectic weekend with two puppies going to their new homes. We had a wonderful visit on Saturday with Charles & Tristin who got Precious. It was if they had been our friends for a very long time. Precious fell in love with Charles immediately and snuggled so close it was if she wanted to become a part of him. Just like with family we hated for the visit to end, but we sent them off with an extra peach cobbler and jars of homemade goodies including Plum Hot Pepper Jelly.
These pictures of Kathleen & I holding Blinkin, were taken Sunday when we met The Craig Family so they could get her.
Good Morning!!! We're up and working away. After writing that line, I decided maybe I need to make entries to my journal at night so the second phrase won't be used so often!! (lol lol )
We're excited about moving in furniture and getting the stairway finished. My complete toe is black now but I have a high pain threshold so it's no problem. Make the most of today and I'll try to update you tonight - Judy
The picture really doesn't do justice to Bob's hard work, but you can get an idea of what
he's been doing. You should be able to tell that the complete ceiling is wood. It's a 9 foot
ceiling so we're talking a lot of time spent on ladders. We had a surprise dip in temperature last night. I had taken all the plants back outside because it was supposed to be warm through Sunday. It's a good thing I happened to sign on to the weather website!!! Bob got busy creating a temporary greenhouse on the front porch just outside the front door. We moved them all in but the 6 I finally remembered at Midnight. They are Mother-In-Law Tongues which I had sitting under a big oak tree, so maybe they didn't freeze although it had dropped to 26 degrees!!!!
Long story but yesterday I got trapped inside a 6 foot tall dog pen because the door got wedged and Bob was too far away to hear me. I was beating and banging on the pen door trying to force it free when in frustration I tried to kick it open ..... This Woman Ain't Got No Sense!! I finished up what I was doing by walking on my heel, then came into the house to ask Bob if he thought my big toe was broken. In less than 30 minutes, it had turned a vibrant shade of maroon and was swollen. We concluded it just jammed or maybe a fracture. I can walk on it, just can't turn my foot a certain way. I bet I won't kick a metal fence post again.
Got to go help do the chores!!! Have a Good Day and a wonderful weekend. - Judy
Lord Have Mercy, I'm so excited!!! The ceiling beams are finished! Poor Sweet Tater Pie, was nervous and barked every time the hammer hit, but now it's a done deal. Needless to say it is beautiful and just what we wanted. Bob measured, cut each board, stained them, put on the finish and then nailed them into place. It looks great!! Meanwhile the yard and our surroundings look like Sanford & Sons, but we'll get to that also. Major progress has been accomplished. I'm so PROUD!!!
- 5:45 AM CST
Bob got too tired and grouchy, his words not mine, to finish the ceiling beams yesterday, so he'll hopefully finish them this morning. Meanwhile I'm going to be doing chores. The only pup we have available is Miss B & PepperJack's Nod. Again there have been several people wanting him, but the "right" environment hasn't presented itself thus far.
One of the neighbors came for a visit yesterday and we got on the subject of "stray dogs". I was telling her about Dingo, the wild dog, when she exclaimed, "I call him my ghost dog". She could see him skirting the parameter of their yard in the woods but never near their house. I told her it took us 5 months to make friends with him and now he would wait by the back door on mornings when he was hungry. I advised her to try calling him "Dingo" if she wanted to make friends.
Oops got to go, Bullies are wanting to go out. - Judy
I'm saying this in a whisper . . . Bob is 90% finished with the ceiling beams. If he keeps up his present pace he will finish before nightfall, I'm so excited!!!!
- 5:45 AM
I've been sending and answering emails for the past hour and I sure hope they make sense to the people getting them. It's a tad early for my brain to be fully functioning, but I woke up this morning thinking about three of our friends who are recuperating from serious surgery or illness, plus another friend who has had a terrible time with a litter of Bullies and is being maligned by the co-owners of the mother Bully. Before I did anything else I wanted to send them emails, just to let them know I care.
I'm off to take care of "our gang"...they are calling. I'm in an upstairs bedroom and the attic fan is on so you wouldn't think the Bullies would know I'm awake, but the cat, who "someone threw way" told them. When I turn on a light he knows I'm awake and starts in "talking" to me through the window. This the outside/stray dogs hear and respond by calling out a "Good Morning" which in turn the Bullies downstairs hear. They then start barking to be let out to potty.
Take Care!! - Judy
We've been up and working hard since 4 AM. Bob's ceiling beam project was thrown off schedule yesterday due to a malfunctioning saw so he's determined to get most of it completed today, since it is supposed to rain tomorrow.
We have two puppies, Precious & Blinkin, going to their new homes this weekend so I need to get the house in order, as best I can, considering we have Bullies, plants, sawdust, lumber, drop clothes, paint cans, etc. everywhere!!!
I have too many plants, dropping leaves everywhere since they aren't getting as much light in the house as they were outside. I'm getting claustrophobic! Bob loves "the jungle"!! As soon as he finishes the smaller room ceiling beams and the staircase, we have plans to build a small temporary greenhouse over the goldfish pond, to protect his thirteen, much cared for 7 inch long, fat and sassy goldfish, as well as some of my plants. I don't dare tell him they are "just common goldfish".
Got to run see about the "babies". Have a good day. - Judy
I feeling much better today and we're trying to do a dozen things at one time!!!
I don't believe I've mentioned that both Amber bred to King Bizkit & Sleepy bred to PepperJack are pregnant. Amber is due around the end of this month and Sleepy is due the first or second week of December, if all goes well. Precious has been reserved and will go to her new home later in the month. I'm going to post pictures of Miss B & PepperJack's Blinkin & Nod as Available later today.
Take care and make the best of today!!! - Judy
Not much of interest going on here. Bob is working on the ceiling beams in the smaller room downstairs while I'm doing chores, slow but sure. I'm kinda mopy because I've got the start of an Upper Respiratory Infection. I've taken it upon myself to start taking antibiotics and antihistamines before it goes into a bad case of bronchitis. To prove how "blah" I am, we were at Lowe's earlier where the succulents (plants) and spring bulbs were 50% off and I didn't buy any!!! I looked and sighed, saying not today. That is when Bob realized, I was sick!!!
Time to share some pictures with you.
8 months old, Owners Floyd & Michelle of KY
Dog Gone!!! It's a chilly 37 degrees this morning. I made beds for the "strays that came to stay" using banana boxes with a thick layer of old clothes. Yesterday I got a van load of these boxes to use in packing up househould items in the Memphis house to move up here. We were going to move furniture up today but a situation arose which caused us to cancel.
- The first price I got on printing the Peanut Booklets was $11 each with a 250 booklet minimum or $2,750, so we're going to keep price shopping. The first ones won't be of the print quality we would like but the above price would keep us from having any printed.
- I'm testing the print quality of the pictures Bob used in the story by uploading some of them to a Photo Print Service and then ordering a sample print.
- I bought 21 matching couch cushion covers for $1.50 each made out of very nice thick upholstery material to make Bully beds. I'm testing the first one today. The label says they can be machine washed and dried. What a deal!!!!
- I went to a surplus fabric sale $1 a yard and got lots of thick light blanket type material to make saddle blanket type pads for crates, now to get time to cut and sew them. Actually Bob is the one who does the sewing in our house!!!
- Precious is still available. I've told several people NO, so it's not a matter of being unwanted, it's just that I haven't found the right person for her yet. Oh she is precious!!! She is very smart and considering she is in a pool with 2 other pups, Miss B's Blinkin & Nod, a quarter of her size, she is an Angel. They play but seldom does she get too rough.
Hopefully, I'm going to have a productive day. I sure am thankful for all my Blessings!!! Take care and have a good day. - Judy
From: Priscilla
To: Judy M. Cooksey-Cowling
Sent: Friday, November 07, 2003 8:33 AM
Subject: Hey
Hi Bob and Judy,
I was just reading about Belcher and it reminded me of Tima's first few weeks around here. She was so scared of the horse and now she loves him. All anyone has to do is say "The Big Boy"---her name for Cisco---and she charges out the dog door at a dead run to see what he's up to. She spends hours lying against the fence with him on the other side, his head hanging over so he can be close to her. If she doesn't notice him, he paws the fence til she comes running up barking at him.
Alex spends the night out here at least one night a week. In the morning---and for several mornings after---Timmy leads the way to Alex's closed bedroom door and if she can't push it open she butts it with her head til I go down the hall and let everybody in to see how Alex is, or if she's there. Timmy runs this household. She is the bossiest little lady you have ever seen.
I did have her at work all day one time and everybody loved her. Now they all come by and ask where my baby is. The rules say she can't be at work with me tho so she only got that one day. I've had several of the guys say they will sneak her in for me. Nothing new going on here. Talk to you later. - Priscilla
- 8:00 AM
An update on Belcher a.k.a. Fortune Cookie:
From: NAGLE
To: Judy Cooksey-Cowling
Sent: Thursday, October 30, 2003 6:46 PM
Subject: Belcher Update(Fortune cookie)
Hello Judy; Thought I would send an update on Belcher's first week. Will try to send a new picture separately later. She went to the Doggy Doctor today and had her 2nd shot and stitches removed. Stool sample was clear, nothing showing. She does have a yeast ear infection and will get drops for the next 10 days. Belcher now weighs 8.3 pounds. Events of the week-- she can climb stairs, and go down stairs if she really, really wants to chase after the other dogs. She shows no fear of the 70 pound lab mix(walks underneath her) or the 11 pound bichon,(she pounces on his tail) she chases after them, and eats out of their dishes while they watch!! She has faced down the cat, trying to play with her in the little bulldog pounce position of hers. She is truly spoiled already. She wants to be rocked to sleep.....She has been going to work with Jim, where she is properly adored by all. - Kathy
It's supposed to rain this morning so we're about to hurry and scurry getting things done. I just thought I would stop to say Good Morning and share pictures I got a few days ago. These are of Brutus, who's always into everything, and his Great Dane brothers. He's the son of Miss B and Mr. Big Stuff, so you know he isn't small, probably weighs 60 lbs, but compared to his Great Dane brothers he surely looks small. Have a Good Day!!!
I had to show off... here are pictures of my Christmas Cactus now in bloom. They are 3 yrs old.
Bob says I should tell you what else I did when I went to the Flea Market . . . About this time every year I go to a particular vendor to get fresh Turnips, Collards, giant heads of Savoy Cabbage and my 30 lbs of Peanuts which will last me all winter.
About the
time he told me to step behind the counter and pick me out a head of cabbage from the pile
on the ground, a couple of men in their late 80's or early 90's trapped him into a
conversation about a seriously ill mutual friend. Customers started to appear so I just
started putting out more produce and waiting on them, telling them the Savoy was sweeter than regular cabbage, told
them how to cook it (microwave dish, dot with butter, season to taste, I use salt, pepper
and crushed hot pepper, cover with plastic wrap cook medium hight for 30 minutes) or suggested making slaw. I went on to tell them if they just
cut off what they wanted to fix then wrapped the head in plastic and keep it in the
refrigerator that it would last for 3-4 weeks. Every few minutes I would give the owner the
money I had collected. When there was a lull in activity, I told him goodbye and I'd
see him next Trade Day. As I turned to leave, he handed me a 7 lb cabbage for my help. With a
teasing wink he said, "Any time you wanna come help, do. You sure work cheap enough!!!!
lol lol 
From there I asked a woman whom I passed where she bought her Jade Plant, because Bob just
loves them. I found the vendor and bought not one, but seven, which I had to bring home
and repot because they were so top heavy they kept falling over. At least Lucy didn't bring home any critters although I was sorely tempted to buy a beautiful hand-fed Cockateil that was only $40. I hope I have given you a good laugh for the day. The pictures are from last year but I thought they would give you a good idea of how the Flea Market looks. I sure have fun, no matter where I am. Have a good one!! - Judy
Somebody needs to lock me up!!!! On Saturday I went to the local Flea Market and stopped both going and coming at yard sales or trucks parked along side the road with items for sale. Bob was very thoughtful and took the pet carrier out of the van before I went, wanting to make sure I didn't have the ability to bring home another "animal". lol lol (I still want that homeless Hounddog but my friend Brenda reminded me last night that they howl and dig .. we don't need that.)
The only other thing that I didn't need any more of, is plants, herein lies the "rest of the story". I bought a Split Leaf Philodendron which I would guess to be 20 years old. It was so root bound that there was absolutely no new growth on it. To repot it we had to take an axe and break open the old pot. The largest empty pot I had was 20 inches across and 26 inch deep. It really should have been put in a 24 inch pot. Bob and I worked for hours first trying to get it out of the old pot without breaking it and then trying to decide what to do with that mass of roots. Finally, exhausted dealing with it, we just put it in the pot, as it was, then filled the remaining space with Miracle Grow Potting Soil. I paid $5 for the plant and then we worked for hours repotting the thing!!! Now where am I going to put it. It's too heavy to move upstairs and downstairs is full of plants. What a "Lucy Thing" I've done (Lucile Ball)!!! lol lol
Good Morning!!! I slept 12 straight hours so I'm full of energy this morning!! One more Halloween
picture for you. This one is of Clyde who is a sibling to our Peanut & Sugar Cookie, therefore his parents
are Smart Cookie & Mini-E.Have a Great Day, mine is going to be busy!!! - Judy
Bob let me sleep in this morning but the instant I realized it was 8:00, I hurriedly dressed and went downstairs to help with the morning chores.
Imagine me half asleep walking into the kitchen just as Jazzman & Cowboy came running in the open back door, sending a bowl of dry dog food spraying all over the kitchen floor and jumping into the kiddy pool with the "babies". They had been outside playing in the leaves; chasing, pouncing, jumping, rolling. All of a sudden they noticed the open back door so in they came. Fearing they might accidently step on one of the babies, I grabbed the pups and put them in a giant Rubbermaid container until Bob, close on the trail of the big buys, could restore order..... He stopped for his camera! ! ! ! Meanwhile Jazzman stepped in a pile of baby poop, he and Cowboy sniffed the air and bolted out of the pool. They love the "babies" but not the poop!!!!
I had to slow things down until I at least had a glass of juice. This is going to be an interesting day. Hope yours is also!!! - Judy
Forgot to tell you there is a young Black & Tan Hounddog at the vet's that just wandered in. He's pitiful looking, skinny as a rail, wormy, etc. and he wanted to come home with me. Bob put his foot down reminding me that I said "no more anything" but maybe .....
When I opened the email that contained this picture, I had to laugh out loud!!! This is Belcher, a.k.a. Smart Cookie's Fortune Cookie. She insists upon being rocked to sleep by her Daddy Jim. With that expression of contentment we know for sure she's spoiled!!!
Isn't this the sweetest thing...
Miss Lola, a.k.a. Smart Cookie's Butterfinger Cookie, dress up as Minnie Mouse for Halloween!!!
We had a wonderful day....we left early to make a 200 mile round trip on the pretense of buying bedding for "our gang" and dog food, actually we just needed to get away by ourselves. Of course we did stick to our plan and purchase the above items, but mainly we just enjoyed the peace and quiet, kinda like getting away from the kids. (lol lol)
Judy
Mortymer owned by Matthew & Stephanie of Indianapolis, IN, certainly looks like a Super Puppy, who is very serious about his work. Smile at the camera Mort!!! (lol lol) Mort is Jeb's brother, son of PepperJack & Miss B.
Now Leo, a.k.a. The Stinker ....
came by the nickname because he's gassy. He is owned by Kim Bell of GA and is Jeb's half-brother. I think they look very much alike and we are hopeful that we can get the two together soon to see just how much alike they are in personality. His parents are PepperJack & Miss Sleepy Lady.
- 6:00 AM CST
Yesterday afternoon I went to Corinth, Mississippi 30 miles away to get Bob's medicine and just to do a little looking around. My thumb still isn't well so Bob thought getting me away from the house so I couldn't work might aid in healing. My smile being an invitation to start a conversation, it was one of those days when I kept running into strangers who just wanted to "talk a little". Most were elderly and I listen well.
While standing in line to get the medicine, a 73 year old lady told me that her medicine for a month totaled $400 and her husband's were $800 because he is diabetic, etc. Their combined Social Security checks go to pay for medicine. The medicine that keeps them alive takes all their income. When their modest home and the 11 acres of land they worked a life-time to obtain are gone, they will no longer desire to live . . . . . Please say a prayer for "the lady from Iuka, MS". - Thank You, Judy
The Latest Adventures of Peanut
Jeb, The Champ
Bob taught him to walk again!!!
Jazzman Pictures
Prior Judy's Journal - September, 2003
Prior Judy's Journal - August, 2003
Prior Judy's Journal - July, 2003
Prior Judy's Journal -June, 2003
Prior Judy's Journal Page, April - June 15, 2003
Prior Event Page January - April 2003
Why I'm Nicknamed PuppyGal
"We have one mission in life, and that mission is to love" - Mother Theresa
Judy is a PuppyGal and always has been -- bringing in strays, thrown away puppies and other creature for the last 50 years, we will have to assume she was five years old before she brought in her first one. When she was four years old she went missing and hours later they found her under her Grandparent's old country farmhouse. She had snuggled up next to their big white dog and fell asleep. She and their eight yard dogs roamed the 100 acre farm, everyone contend that the dogs would protect her. While other little girls played with dolls, PuppyGal and the dogs followed behind her Papa as he plowed the fields, feed the goats or milked the cows. Life changed, Papa passed away, she lived full time in the city, got a good education and became an executive for a National Corporation. One day she decided they were robbing her of her life so she told them "I'm Through Now" and returned to the country and her first love dogs… smashed faced, snorting Bulldogs.