Pets, Plants, and Possibly People

14/05/2022

13/05/2022

I cheated on my boys this afternoon, but I didn't come home smelling of cat so I got away with it. The cats RAN as soon as they realized I wasn't their human. But I confirmed everything I needed to know--two obviously healthy felines present. They only needed a single visit to check the automatic food and water dispensers. Refilled everything, scooped litter box, stuck my hand in the water to verify turtle was present and healthy, watered everything out back in containers, admired flowers. It was a pleasant day for a trip from Arab to Decatur, and I enjoyed the back roads.

13/05/2022

12/05/2022

Bedtime for Titus.

12/05/2022

Today was an adventure with this crew, as usual. Lisa came over for a lunch date, and they were all happy we chose Brandin Iron Steakhouse - Fairview. (Highly recommended if you're ever in the area.) Everyone enjoyed a bit of steak scraps with dinner. Titus now goes in his crate when I leave with no problem, and lets me take his collar off and put it back on. Saturday I thought he might be the first problem child I couldn't win over--I have thought that before, and been wrong every time. A calm voice and letting the animal set the pace of the interaction have always worked. (My favorite was the client who told me I wouldn't see her cats. Three days into two-week job I sent her photo of both of them at my feet sniffing me out.)

Everyone is fed and medicated, and I'm about to go water the yard before I find a movie to watch.

*Teddy is here, being Teddy. If it doesn't involve food, treats, or being momentarily forced outside, it pretty much doesn't involve Teddy. He got a few scritches before finding someplace to lie down. BUT when it's time for treats, be careful, because Teddy may be mostly blind and close to deaf, but the nose works! When the fingers are holding treats, the fingers *smell like treats*! The big guys get hand-fed, not Teddy.

11/05/2022

You need a new t-shirt, don't you? Yeah, just in time for warm weather.

Hard Knocks has adult and youth t-shirts!

https://loom.ly/0UGaW3o

11/05/2022

My bed is now double occupancy. I love the difficult ones because winning them over feels so triumphant!

10/05/2022

These poor babies!

ADOPTED TOGETHER & Moved Home 5/30/2022!!

Do you need a "starter set" of sweet kitties who NEED YOU?!! This beautiful trio of youngsters have been through more in the last several months, than most kitties see in their lifetimes... Left to Right are PRECIOUS (male tabby 1 year old), littermate PATCHES (male black/white 1 year old) and LITTLE BIT (female dilute tortie 3 years old)... Their elderly owner passed away in January, and the son who had been caring for these 3, was just killed by a drunk driver last week... 😢 They're now safe in a Foster Home where vetting is being checked and updated as needed. They've lived in a home with dogs, so are comfortable around them. The two 1 year olds are more bonded so we'd like to see at least those 2 stay together, but if anyone is prepared to adopt all 3, they'll be given a priority. These sweethearts deserve a bright future - help us find their future Family or Families! Email your interest to [email protected].

10/05/2022

I do not know which side of my bed the farting is coming from, but someone is *powerful*.

10/05/2022

Last night the white axolotl was showing out for me, this morning the dark one was. I'm a lot happier about the temperature this morning--I am gonna be swapping out ice multiple times a day, I think.

Also, I won over Titus!

10/05/2022

Apparently I'm not allowed to give *anyone* else any attention--not even a goodnight phone call from my wife!

10/05/2022

Axolotls, unlike anything I've ever kept in an aquarium, prefer cool water and no bright light. They survive well between 50° and 70°, but are happiest between 59-65°. Sunday was relatively cool and the water temperature was low 60s. I just checked a while ago and put two ice packs in. We're getting to low 80s the rest of the week--I'll be checking often. These critters hail from Mexico and there are currently very few left in the wild.

09/05/2022

This isn't the first time I've shared the fact that I'm 61 and still cannot p*e unsupervised. I'm just surprised it's Titus.

He went in his crate for me when I went to the grocery store, and it only took a couple treats to remove his collar and put it back on. We're gonna be friends, he's just making me work for it.

09/05/2022

She knew where to go!

When you divide a thousand by ten, that only requires 100 dog-lovers!

09/05/2022

I didn't have far to look for dogs this morning. Boo moved down to join his siblings at some point. We all ate breakfast, took our meds, etc., and now we're lazing around again in my room.

09/05/2022

Took only two nights after their humans left. The guest room is usually forbidden territory.

08/05/2022

Titus is still hesitant but we just made a huge leap. Yep, on the bed sniffing at my pjs. I ❤ problem children most--it's the challenge, I think. He started obeying when I said sit last night--from four feet away. He got a treat for every sit, funny boy.

08/05/2022

I have three dogs, a tank of beautiful cichlids, and a pair of axolotls. I haven't really visited the axolotls yet, because they got fresh food (feeder guppies) before their human left. I'll see if they'll take a treat this week and let me get some photos.

05/05/2022

Benefiting Hard Knocks Rescue & Training, Inc.

There is a surprise Fundraiser being organized for us by Sapphire Starlington! All of the details are on the flyer.

Mark your calendars for TOMORROW and Saturday and/or join the Facebook event page: https://loom.ly/OKrpCLA

04/05/2022

Are you looking for something fun to do with your kids? Here is a cool Summer Camp option! Mary Poppins is doing story time, dog related art projects, and other fun activities.

-$100 per kid for 4 weeks
-11am-1pm every Friday in June OR 11am-1pm on Wednesdays in July
-you get a t-shirt, projects, and other fun stuff

Email [email protected] for more information.

04/05/2022

ADOPTED & Moved Home 6/17/2022!!

Meet TRAVERS... DOB est 5/1/2021, male, neutered, vaccinated, microchipped...

This STUNNING young boy is TRAVERS... He is also a very LUCKY sweetheart - to now have a bright future ahead of him that's as bright as his beautiful blue eyes!! TRAVERS was recently, literally, dumped from a car... Thankfully a Good Samaritan witnessed it, immediately scooped him up & contacted a foster mom. His tail was seriously damaged ("dead"), but not from the act of being dumped. This cutie has had surgery to have it removed, along with all other vetting, he's recovering wonderfully, and he's ready to find his Forever Family!! He's very friendly, talkative, and has the cutest nub tail now... all healed, just needs his hair to grow back! (See a video of him playing, in the Comments!) If you'd like to meet this handsome boy, please email [email protected]!!

04/05/2022

02/05/2022

There is a surprise Fundraiser being organized for us by Sapphire Starlington! All of the details are on the flyer.

Mark your calendars for Friday, May 6th and Saturday, May 7th. Please join the Facebook event page: https://loom.ly/OKrpCLA

02/05/2022

This page is to help dogs who are presently in the shelter either be reclaimed or adopted.

02/05/2022

Can you help?

02/05/2022

I had one (paying) client this weekend, and the apartment critters so the roommates could go play overnight. Spent some time with my own babies for good measure. Lots of scritches. And flowers.

30/04/2022

Lucy was quite snuggly this evening, after giving me a thorough sniff to meet everyone I've been around. Unfortunately my very loud sneeze ended our snuggling and I got the very clear message that I could go. Now. Hoping I'm forgiven in the morning.

30/04/2022

Remember our homeless animals while you're spring cleaning!