Be Careful What You Ask For

I adopted Samson two months ago with the hope that he would make the place feel secure and, also, be a deterrent to the critters who have done so much damage around the property.

I couldn’t have imagined my answer would come so quickly and dramatically.
CAUTION – graphic scenes






I had grabbed my camera thinking it might be funny once the groundhog realized the dog was there. I never considered he was headed FOR the dog, nor do I understand why. Samson was on a chain, hadn’t barked or provoked the groundhog. What would have possessed this animal to do this? In the end, Samson did what he was created to do; he defended himself and the property.

Unbelievably, less than a week later, I heard Samson barking and found him, once again, in a battle with a groundhog. This time, though, the animal put up a furious fight and I ended up having to pull Samson away. He was covered in blood, and I wasn’t sure how badly he was injured. Gratefully, the blood wasn’t his and there wasn’t a scratch on him. What a dog.
I’m so grateful that this wonderful dog is now making my home secure and defending the property. Just what I asked for! Yet, I’m not sure I was quite ready for this....

Making Friends

Six years ago Tobe joined our household. It was August, when my son was home from college, and we went together to pick out a cat from the pound. We took a long time trying to find just the right cat, and we sure did! He's been a real blessing to us over the years, curling up on the bed and in our laps and purring his happy purr. I enjoy having him follow me around the yard as I do my chores. He always brings a smile to my face. Amazingly, he even comes running when we whistle!

So, my heart sank when the new dog caused Tobe to hide out in the basement. The first month or so, I hardly saw him. I even had to move his food dish to the basement to be sure he'd eat. When he did come up, he made it clear he wasn't happy with the new arrangement. Poor guy! It's been his house all these years, and now he'd been invaded by a sloppy, noisy dog! I thought for sure the dark, dirty basement would become his new home.

Well, it took nearly six weeks, but Tobe's back. :-) Ever so slowly, these two are getting used to one another. It's actually been quite comical to watch the two of them jockey for position in the house.

Tobe sneaks a drink from Samson's bowl

the two of them maneuver a window view

and -- the funniest yet -- Samson trying to fit on Tobe's stool!

I have a bit of encouragement, though. It came in the form of a photo forwarded by a co-worker. Her daughter's cat and dog, Hugger and Blitz, are now, to me, the poster children for canine/feline friendship. Could my Tobe and Samson look like this one day???

Confession: I'm a Dog Lover!

In the last few weeks, I’ve become a dog lover. I never imagined I would be one of those “dog people,” gushing over a common canine. And yet, here I am arranging and rearranging my life around a dog!

For years I've teased family and friends who have dogs and reorder their lives like they're children. It's so much easier being a cat owner. I can leave for the weekend and the cat is fine with a litter box and a few days of food. A dog is a different story.

Well, in early March at my dentist's office, I happened to mention to the dental assistant, Melinda, that I was considering a dog. Melinda’s office wall is covered with dog photos and she herself owns five. I shared with her that I thought the time might be right for me to look for a dog.

Truth be told, I've been thinking about a dog since I moved in to this old farmhouse. I really want the security of a dog on the property and had hoped a dog might be a deterrent to my ever-present critter problem. Yet, my life was too busy to make the commitment to a dog.

Well, by the end of the day of my dentist appointment, Melinda had emailed a photo of "Spencer," a Rottweiler mix available for adoption from a local rescue organization. She just knew he would be perfect for me.


I’m still not sure what motivated me to drive 40 minutes to take a look at him that snowy Saturday in March. The rescue organization was having an adoption event at a pet store on the east side. And there he was. He looked at me with wary eyes, and lowered his head each time I tried to pet him.


He wasn’t overly friendly, but pleasant and well behaved. Something about this sweet pup caused me to say yes to Canine Lifeline's two-week trial. At least I knew there was an out!

Well…. no “out” was needed. He stole my heart after the first night. He cuddled up on a pet pillow at the foot of my bed and never made a peep.

“Spencer” now answers to “Samson.” It’s a strong name, reminiscent of the strong man in scripture. And the shy, timid fella that arrived seven weeks ago has become happy and confident. I think he finally feels secure, and having him here makes me feel secure too.

I’m still amazed that the very first dog I looked at has fit so perfectly into my world. But he has. And now I must confess...

I’m a dog lover ;-)

...because of Samson.

Hibernation's Over

Getting back in the blog mode after several months isn't easy. I don't know that there's any explanation for the absence... maybe just the doldrums that come with winter. This year, more than any in recent memory, dread came over me like a dark cloud as the oncoming cold weather approached. Just wanted to bury my head under the covers until spring.

So, now spring's here and the hibernation is over!

Seems the logical approach would be to blog in winter, when there is less to do outside and more time for the computer. I guess I'm a bit backwards these days. I'm just now getting back to blogging when it's time to plant, sow, weed, mow... ;-)

In any case, the spring rains have come and deluged our NE Ohio neighborhoods. The upside is that the grass is greener than I can ever remember. Oh, how I love the colors of spring. The small buds on the maple trees are a soft, pale green. My pear tree bloomed this morning with bright white blossoms, and the side yard bursts with the yellow of a fully-bloomed forsythia. Ahhhh... spring!

Senses

"People look without seeing, listen without hearing, touch without feeling, eat without tasting, inhale without awareness of odor or fragrance and talk without thinking." – Leonardo da Vinci

I want to be grateful for every small pleasure in life, thankful for every scene, smell, sound, touch, taste. For every good and perfect give is from above.

World Equestrian Games

For the first time in its 20-year history, the World Equestrian Games were held this year in the United States -- Lexington, KY to be exact. What a wonderful event!! Kentucky rolled out the red carpet, as a gracious host to horse lovers and competitors from around the world.

I had the privilege of attending with my friend, who lives in the Lexington area. It fueled the fire in my heart for all things horse-related.

Beautiful main pavilion. 

Molly the Pony. Injured in Hurricane Katrina, this poor pony was attacked by a pit bull at the rescue facility. She lost her leg due to the injury, and now has a prosthetic leg: http://www.mollythepony.com.

A para-dressage competitor from Italy.

California Cowgirls riding team.

Rare Marwari horses from India.

Ride - a - Reiner 

Mo loves to ride!

A dressage competitor from Israel.


A para-dressage rider with no legs -- an incredible inspiration.

Wells Fargo Stagecoach.

Reining demonstration by Josh Vissers.

Horses, horses and more horses. I felt like I was in heaven. Maybe one day I'll have one of my own. ;-)

Changing Colors

A sure sign of autumn, the new sugar maple is turning a beautiful orange!