I’m back!! Yes, it’s been a very long time and so much has happened. We are now retired and we have moved back to our 28 acres in the Slocan Valley. It’s been a huge change from the big five bedroom house and the open space overlooking Kootenay Lake to being full time here, nestled against the mountain with tall trees dwarfing our little forest home.
It was a challenge to move the contents of the big house into our small three bedroom cabin. Boxes have remained unpacked for well over a year. No place to put anything and it’s been a lesson in having too much stuff. We definitely need to downsize! I sometimes look around and wonder at how we managed to raise two children here but we did.
I just had my 69th birthday and I still hope that I will be able to have a horse (or two) before I’m too old and out of shape to enjoy having them. I bought a saddle and still have a full tack box so I haven’t given up yet. My sister is raising Gypsy Vaner horses in California. They are truly remarkable and beautiful animals. She wants me to come for a visit and ride her beauties on the beach at Monterey. Sounds wonderful and hopefully I will be able to realize that dream.
Our son’s sweet old Pitty, Jupiter,  crossed the rainbow bridge last year and our little Mr. Rutgar still perks up his ears whenever anyone mentions his old pal. For weeks Rutgar would run to meet our son when he returned from work, obviously looking for Jupiter to return. We drove through town recently and when Rutgar saw a pit bull that closely resembled Jupie, he cried and tried to claw his way through the window.
Our daughter was given a long hair tea-up Chihuahua. A sweet tiny guy. We were a bit worried that our 19 pound Mr. Rutgar might do him harm as he’s a bit of a bully around other dogs but to our relief, he simply doesn’t acknowledge little Angelo. We all held our collective breath at their first meeting but the only recognition from Rutgar was a quick sniff and a butt bump… done.
We have two new cats. They were 1½ years old on December 8th. Rondo and Turk are a pair of rascals. They are brother ginger cats and my experience of with orange kitties is that they are the silliest, craziest, get into everything kind of fur babies. As a result, they have their own room at night just so we can sleep without the crashing, banging and scratching. We wanted them to be strictly indoor cats but with all the confusion and activity of moving, they managed to escape into the big wide world. That hasn’t come without a price. They both developed salmonella last spring after eating wild birds and we nearly lost them. With the wet spring we had, there was an outbreak of salmonella apparently due to dirty and mouldy bird feeders and subsequently, sick, slow, and easily caught, birds. We now have the two boys somewhat trained to a routine of coming in as soon as it begins to get dark, now about 3:pm. During the day they come in to use their litter boxes. I’ve had to explain to the household that the cats are most vulnerable outside when the are focused on doing their ‘business’. We have so many predators here, coyotes, coy wolves, wolves, cougars, bob cats, lynx, neighbour’s dogs… and oh yes, eagles. One of our neighbours lost her cats to eagles and I’ve noticed that our kitties dart under our deck whenever a large bird flies overhead.
I must not forget our son’s cat, Emerald, who lives here too. She is a black and white ‘Hemmingway’ cat, with 6 toes on each of her front feet. She wasn’t pleased when these two arrived. Lots of caterwauling, hissing and clawed smacks. She had lost her sister the year before, most likely to a coyote and was the house queen but I believe, lonely. She had been pulling her fur and was nearly naked but it seems that condition has resolved itself since the boys have been here. She realized they were here to stay and it now seems she has become their mama, teaching them everything she knows. The first lesson was how to climb down a tree and that’s a good thing as the very first thing Rondo did after his escape from the house was to climb 70ft up into a cedar tree, necessitating our son climb to rescue him. Once they learned how to navigate up and down, the tree-tops became their playground, leaping from tree to tree, following the blue jays that they harassed and thus the jays teasing and harassing them. I mentioned it to our vet when we took them for their neutering. He scowled at me and said, “That is not a survival instinct.”
The whole plan with the cats, all three, was that they would help to eliminate the mice that move into these warmer digs every winter. Unfortunately, with so much stuff and yet to be unpacked boxes, the cats are unable to get to the mousy hiding places. Mr. Rutgar is a natural ratter and has been focused on the pack rat that has moved in under the bathroom. We are trying to figure out how we can open things up enough so that the cats and dog can ease their frustration and catch a few varmints.
Hopefully I will get back to my painting and drawing soon. Most of my art supplies are still packed and I’ve not been able to make space enough yet in the ‘studio’ to immerse myself in my art. Fresh canvases wait for me and new untouched drawing books are now unpacked and shelved, waiting for me to get going… and I guess there’s no time like NOW.
I will include some photos of the crazy cats as soon as possible.
WISHING YOU ALL A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS, WARM AND JOYOUS YULE AND A NEW YEAR FILLED WITH LOVE, HEALTH, HAPPINESS AND AN ABUNDANCE OF ALL THINGS WONDERFUL. Cheers!

Help for Foreclosure Pets

The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) is currently taking grant applications from qualifying rescue organizations and animal shelters. The goal is to help people who are affected by the current sub-prime mortgage crises to keep their family pets. Grants will start being handed out at the end of April. You can access information by going directly to their site at: http://www.hsus.org/press_and_publications/press_releases/grant_program_to_help_families_care_for_pets_032608.html

Of further note, on Friday, April 4th, Oprah Winfrey is speaking out against puppy mills. She will be a powerful advocate in shutting down these deplorable, factory style breeding businesses. Be sure to check times in your area and tune in for what will be an important show.
There are many responsible dog and cat breeders and they are not to be confused with puppy mills. If you are looking for a purebred dog or cat, information on how to find a compassionate and responsible breeder can be found at: http://www.hsus.org/

Looking through the classified ads section of our local papers, I have noticed that there have been a growing number of small mixed breeds being offered for relatively large sums of money. Most of us are familiar with Cockapoos (Cocker Spaniel and Poodle cross) and when we first heard it, we chuckled. Now the pets’ section is filled with puppies of mixed origin at purebred prices: Bichon Havanese cross puppies - $525, Pincher Chihahua pups - $300, Many puppies- terrier crosses and Chihuahuas $300 to $400, Bichon Shih Tzu puppies - $450, Jack Russell Poodle (Jackoodle) 9 months old - $500, (Chiweenies) Minature Dachshund Chihuahua puppies $450, White female Shih Tzu Jack Russell cross - $300. On and on it goes. It is easy to see what an enticement these prices offer to people wanting to make a fast buck from the indiscriminate breeding of their animals and before you know it, a puppy mill is born.
I’m not saying accidents don’t happen, they shouldn't’ but sometimes they do. Most responsible pet owners who are not planning to breed purebred dogs (or cats) will have their pets neutered or spayed. I once had a lovely, well bred Persian cat from champion stock. I had planned on breeding her and watched her very closely to make certain she couldn't get out and meet with any neighborhood tomcats. In spite of my diligence, she still managed to zip out the door like a blue-cream streak of fur. It was not until she was 10 feet away from the door that she demonstrated she was in heat. Although I tried most the night, there was no enticing her back in. Her kittens were beautiful and all four were eventually placed in wonderful homes… Realizing my inability to ensure she would not get out on her next heat and not wanting to cage her, I had her spayed.
Accidental breeding is unlikely in the aforementioned ads for mixed breed puppies. The breeding of these dogs is undoubtedly deliberate. One ad went on to offer ‘stud services’ for their mixed breed dog. This kind of haphazard breeding often results in a multitude of problems for pets and their owners, not the least of which are health problems, and a variety disabling deformities.
Mr. Rutgar, our own rescued Jack Russell terrier and Dachshund cross, has deformed front legs that may cause him problems later in life. The people he was taken from wanted $400 for him but because of the abuse and neglect that was also happening to him, he was surrendered to us with no money changing hands.
I am not opposed to charging something for ‘accidental’ puppies or kittens. After all in this society, everything has value and I don’t believe we do the animals any service by offering them ‘free to a good home.’ If some monetary value isn’t placed on them, then they are taken as valueless and that doesn’t necessarily translate to a ‘good home.’
What I am opposed to is selling these pets at purebred prices that motivates irresponsible and bad breeding practices purely for profit.
Stop the suffering. Don’t buy dogs from puppy mills or pet stores, many are supplied their animals from these same puppy factories. Remember too, the countless dogs, cats, puppies and kittens waiting for adoption at your local animal shelters waiting for their forever homes. You’ll be glad you did.
Stop in for a visit to our website: http://www.plumentails.com/ and take a look around at our pet furniture with an eco-friendly paw print.