The Tick King Dog

If you read Talking Dogs yesterday you saw this photo.  Many probably recognized Jeffie. 

A couple of mornings ago, I was out in my studio taking photographs of new jewelry for For Love of a Dog and Bittersweet Ridge.  The south side of my studio is all floor to ceiling windows overlooking our garden, creek and a series of springfed ponds.

My map drawing skills leave a lot to be desired, but this may help:

Something caught my eye and I was startled to see little Miss Rosie between the south garden perimeter fence and the big pond.  She was looking straight at me and I know that she knew she shouldn't be out there.  By the time I made is outside, she was back in the backyard.

I looked for Rudy, who has, in fact, been known to jump the yard fence.  Rudy was up on the deck.  What a good boy!    

How did this happen?  Some idiot left the gates open.  Both the gate from our backyard into the garden AND the gate from the garden over by the greenhouse which leads to pretty much our whole acreage.

So, anyway, I call (and call) for Jeffie...  no Jeffie in sight.

Whoops!  Could that be Jeffie?

 Oh, yeah.  That's Jeffie alright!

Sitting in the most marshy area of the creek, in the middle of cattails.

I forgot to add it to my little map, but there is a gate from the backyard to the creek, which is where I headed.  I'm standing on the edge of the march, calling and coaxing Jeffie.  He would not budge.

I holler for the idiot and he goes into action.  Around the garden he goes, crosses the pond via the bermed road, and advances on Jeffie from the other side of the creek.

He reports that Jeffie is not stuck or hung up in any way.  Jeffie appears to be afraid to venture into the creek, so won't cross it and come back to me and the yard.

Of course, when Jeffie realizes the Dog Daddy is over there on his side, he's happy to oblige all the coaxing and join the Dog Daddy for a walk back home.

Unfortunately, it wasn't until Jeffie had been back in the house for a little while that we noticed the little spots that pretty much covered him.  TICKS!  Lots and lots of the little devils.  We've never picked so many ticks or so fast.  We stopped counting in the 50's.

Thanks to the topical treatment our dogs are sporting this year, the ticks on Jeffie were on the move... to his face, lower legs and feet.

Our blogger friends at My Brown Newfies had just posted a great article about ticks this year.  The tick forecast is:  gonna be a bad one.  We'd already noticed way more ticks than usual, hence the topical treatment this year.  Boy, little did we know!

Still picking a stray tick here or there.  Have run the vac (too much) to catch any that abandoned the good ship Jeffie.  Suspect I'll be creepy crawly for a long time to come.  Needless to say, Jeffie has been banned from sleeping with us.  AND we learned that not only does he not like the doggie swimming pool, our Tick King, Jeffie, is not about to put his feet in a creek! 

The Talking Dogs Tick King, Jeffie

I hate ticks.  They're right up there with ants, but at least I can thank the ants for helping my peonies open!  Even though we live in the country, we've never had a problem and didn't even use any topical applications last year.  As I write this, the Dog Daddy is out picking up chemicals to spray on the backyard and garden fence lines.  Hate to do it, but gotta draw a line.  Literally.

Jeffie's First Construction Project: Dog Daddy Guest Post

Today we have another guest post by the Dog Daddy. He has a little Jeffie puppy story to tell.  This is part of Jeffie's Birthday Party!

Shortly after moving into our new house ( well, more appropriately, our new construction site), we decided to build a deck on the back of the house. Our house was not finished and we were working on a number of projects: floors, woodwork, fireplaces, and so one. But it was spring and I wanted to be outside. 

Jeffie was a spring puppy and he loved to follow me anywhere I went. I started by digging 20 holes to set the posts in to build the deck on. After laying out the position of the holes, which Jeffie watched with great intent,  began to dig. 

Most of the digging was done with a post hole digger. As soon as I started digging Jeffie was fascinated and wanted to get in on the action. 

As soon as I had a hole started, he had to inspect it. I had to basically use one foot to keep him out of the hole while I took another jab with the digger. Every time I brought up more dirt, Jeffie was thrilled and needed to inspect it also. 

I was digging the holes 2 feet deep. Once I finished digging a hole and moved on to dig another Jeffie was right there to help. Then he would wander away and fall into the hole I just finished. So I had to stop and rescue him as he was too small to climb out on his own. This little dance between me and Jeffie and the holes went on all day.

The next step was to set the posts in concrete. Jeffie had to stay inside so he did not get into the cement. After that Jeffie was with me for the rest of the project and was not so much in the way.

That is, until I started laying the deck boards. That's when he discovered that going under the boards he could escape the sun and the noise. Every time I would take a break I would have to find him and coax him out. This went on until the final step of putting on the surround (so no critters could get under the deck.)  Even as I was ready to put on the final board, I had to wait until I could get him out. 

As the years have gone by Jeffie still loves to go along to help with any project. These days he mostly just sits or lays a few feet away and watches. Sometimes I think he wonders why we don’t do something again as exciting as building a deck.

Birthday Party for Jeffie: You're Invited!

All of us at Talking Dogs hope you'll join us

for a gala celebration of Jeffie's 7th birthday.  

We'll be telling stories about Jeffie, posting adorable puppy photos of Jeffie and we're going to be doing some barking good giveaways all month long!

Be sure to join us and enter to win some pawesome prizes:  dog toys, dog treats, dog lover jewelry, and even a gift card!  You'll have to come back to get all the details!

C'mon and join us.   

It just wouldn't be a party without you!

Dog Tale: Rudy Riding Hood and the Prairie Wolf

Something out the dining room window caught my eye.  A canine emerging from the high grass of our fallow meadow.  Giving itself a shake.  I grabbed the camera and headed for the front door.

Just as I thought:  a coyote.  On three legs, dazed, confused and headed for the front door until it heard Jeffie and Rudy going crazy.

We live in a very rural area of the Missouri Ozarks and frequently experience the serenade of coyotes.  In fact, so often that I'm careful about letting the dogs out at night.  Our backyard is large - about 2 acres - and the yard fence means nothing to coyotes.  I know that for a fact.  One snowy winter day a hunting pair searched there for their lunch.

The coyote that came through here Friday morning wasn't looking for food.  It was trying to escape danger.  In fact, it looked as though it's back legs had been hit by buckshot or the ammunition from a pellet gun. 

According to the Missouri Conservation Department, the coyote is also know as the brush wolf or prairie wolf.  Though they sometimes travel in large groups, they primarily hunt in pairs.  Typical coyote packs consist of six closely related adults, yearlings and young.  Primarily nocturnal, they can often be seen during daylight hours.  Their territorial ranges can be as much as 12 miles around their den and travel occurs along fixed trails.

I couldn't help but worry about where this one's hunting partner was and suspect it might not have been so lucky to escape this day.

Rudy, who has been hanging around the refrigerator waiting for more The Dogs Bark Bakery treats had other worries....

 And if you'd like to hear a pack of coyotes...

Hailey and Her New Human

Remember Hailey, the dog at Dogwood Animal Shelter who had been there almost all of her 8 years of life?  Many of you shared her story via social media, yet the next month Hailey was still homeless.

In a fit of frustration, I shot off an SOS to Life With Dogs, asking that they put the power of their thousands of followers towards getting this sweet girl adopted.  

Last month I told you that thanks to Life With Dogs and social media sharing, Hailey had found her forever home.

She's settling in nicely and I knew you'd like to see a photo of Hailey and her new best friend.  I'd say they both look very happy!

Andy The Little Rat Dog House Guest

Today we have another guest post from the Dog Daddy at our house:  

Dorothy's Dog - Andy

Readers of this blog may have noticed that it has not been as active as usual lately. Sue’s mother, Dorothy, has experienced some health problems and is now in rehab preparing to be able to return to her home. 

Those of you who have been through such an experience will understand. For those of you who have not, there is no way to relate it in a single blog post. I will just say that blogging is just one of many things in our lives which have been impacted. 

As Sue told you in an earlier post, Dorothy’s dog, Andy, a Lhasa Apso, has come to live with us for awhile. This has been a real adventure for all of us, especially for Andy.

Having been a city dog all his life, he has never known the joy of being free in the yard without a leash. At first he wouldn’t leave the back porch without me leading the way.  Now he goes out alone.  He slowly maneuvers down the steps, does his business and explores the world going a little further each day.

With a 2 acre yard that’s a lot to explore. 

Andy only has one eye.  Unfortunately he's nearly blind in that eye.  His exploring is a slow process, but fascinating to watch. Sometimes he will get to the other side of the house and can’t find his way back. I call him, and keep calling him, so he can follow my voice back to the back porch.

One day he got lost in the yard and found Sue’s For Love of a Dog Jewelry studio, which borders the back yard.  He found the studio porch and it's door and was sitting there waiting to be let in. When I called to him he realized his mistake and followed my voice back to the house. 

So far we have kept Andy separated from our dogs as he has a“little man’s complex” and Jeffie does not like a strange dog in his house. Rudy, however, is fascinated.  He stands at the baby gate which keeps Andy in the mud room and studies him. 

I think that at this point Rudy has finally figured out that Andy is a dog, just a very strange little fellow. We think the two of them would get along okay but Rudy is still very much a rousting puppy. Andy is old and has mobility problems so we are afraid he could get hurt. When Andy goes out to explore the yard, Rudy goes from window to window to try and keep an eye on him.

We talk to our dogs a lot and we always end up giving them numerous play names. Andy is now known as Andyman, Little Dog, the One Eyed Wonder and Little Rat Dog. Sue says I shouldn’t call him Rat Dog because I could give him a complex. 

I think it is a fitting name. With Jeffie and Rudy both weighing around 100 lbs. and Andy weighing about 20 lbs. Andy is pretty much like a little rat!

We love dogs and believe that all dogs deserve the best care possible, so we will continue to give that to Andy.  At the same time, we're looking forward to Andy's return to his own home and dog mama.  And I'm sure the Little Rat Man feels the same way!

Random Thoughts: Mothers Hospitals Dogs and House Guests

Andy - Guest Dog at For Love of a Dog

We have a house guest.  Andy is my mother's dog and he's been staying with us since she was rushed to the hospital on March 14.  While we've been enriching the oil companies by traveling the interstate back and forth between our farm and the hospital, as well as our farm and my mother's home, the dogs have been ... well, waiting.

Waiting and hoping life will return to normal.  Soon.  

I can relate.  I just wish I had the patience of a dog.  The time to nap would be welcome, too.

The dogs are doing a whole lot of napping and very little flying disc or Jolly Ball exercise.  They, of course, know something strange has happened and they offer comfort whenever they can.  Comic relief, too.

They also know there's a very strange critter in their house.  Andy.

My mother's dog, Andy, is a 12 year old Lhasa Apso.  At least, that's what his registration papers say.  He sure looks like a Shih Tzu to me.  Believed to be a Missouri puppy mill survivor, he has a long list of health problems.  Not only does he have megaesophagus, Andy has lost one eye and is almost blind in the other.  In addition, he has some locomotion difficulties that are most likely neurological.

Andy is a money pit and the apple of my mother's eye.  

Normally this king of my mother's castle spends his days in my mother's lap, takes walks on a leash, and spends his nights in a very cushy bed.  These days he's spending his life in our mudroom with a crate at night. 

And he's having some big adventures.  These adventures will be detailed later this week by the dog daddy at our house.  Among them are his encounters with "the big dogs" at our house, getting lost in the yard, and discovering there's a world off-leash.

In the meantime, Andy is safe behind the baby gate.  Safe because he has "small man's complex."  No shirker, he's ready to attack and defend.. against the very curious canines on the other side of that baby gate.  Ready for his next adventure which is sure to bring smiles to our faces.

Dogs.  Gotta love 'em.

How Many Dogs are Too Many?

Tucker, Rudy, Lucy and Jeffie  

 I used to think I didn’t have any limit on dogs. I’ve mourned the fact that I can’t possibly live long enough to have all the canine family members that I’d like to have. At the same time I’ve also mourned the fact that dogs don’t live nearly long enough lives. I like dogs better than I like most people and I mean it when I say that I cannot comprehend that there are folks who do not share their lives with dogs.


One of my best friends – I’ve known her for more than half my life – always had dogs. Dogs plural, as in, two dogs. When her last dog passed away (at a ripe old age,) she did not immediately get another. I “got” that. However, as time passed and she did not seek a canine companion, I began to wonder about her. How could she enjoy the company of dogs for so many years and then… no dog. I don’t understand it. Call me crazy, but I began to wonder if I ever really knew her.


Suffice to say that it is my heartfelt belief that living without dogs is truly like living in a gray scale world. Technicolor is available!


Gary says his dog limit is one dog. Since we’ve been together we’ve always lived in the country. We’ve always had two dogs and often three. I will admit that this does not lend itself to being able to travel. The cost of keeping two or three big dogs in kibble and vet care is not cheap. However, what we receive in return is… well... the word bliss comes to mind.


We’d been talking about adding another dog to our family for a few months. Tucker and Lucy are senior citizens now. Jeffie, we felt, could use a canine partner. I’ll admit that when more than one pup on Petfinder were adopted right out from under us (it felt like that), I took it as a sign that we should stick with three. Then Gary ran into Jamie and her laundry basket of puppies at our vet’s office. Can you say kismet?



The Saturday morning we were at Jamie’s picking our puppy, we honestly considered taking more than one. In spite of the fact that we already felt like we were drunk on crazy juice or something for even thinking about more than three dogs in our household. Big dogs. Did I mention that? BIG dogs . Confronted with the whole litter of puppies, we wanted them all. We actually considered taking two or three. In the end, a very patient Jamie sent us on our way home with one puppy, Rudy.


Rudy is 20 weeks old now. There’s some chaos in our house that wasn’t here before, but we’ve been happily amazed at our dogs’ adjustment to a new puppy in our family. Easygoing Tucker sort of sits back and observes the hijinks. Jeffie is thrilled and has become best friends with Rudy, not to mention the best puppy sitter in the world. Even Lucy, who was none too thrilled with the addition of Jeffie a few years ago, really likes Rudy and gives him a free pass when he annoys her.


The first few weeks I felt like a split personality. As we worked on housebreaking I began to think that maybe three dogs was my limit after all. At the same time, the joyful energy Rudy added to our family was palpable for all of us. Then the light bulb seemed to go on for Rudy – at about 16 weeks old – and I could say with confidence that he was housebroken. A major crazy maker taken care of (listen, we’ve got hard wood floors.) Now, of course there’s the chewing, the jumping, basic obedience training, you know the drill.


Everything is more with another dog. Four dogs milling around at chow time. Four dogs sounding the alarm “someone’s coming down the lane!” Four dogs with their assorted coats and sweaters during a rare Ozarks blizzard. Four dogs heaving heavy sighs while they sprawl in front of the floor to ceiling windows during a deluge of rain. Four dogs stinking to high heaven after a skunk attack. You’re getting the picture, right?


However, there’s also the posse of love that I travel with as I move throughout my day. The sense of peace as we all settle down in the evening together. The joy of seeing Tucker and Lucy step more lively and dance the play bow again. The adoration on Jeffie’s face as he beholds his new best friend.



Maybe the question should not be “How many dogs are too many?” but rather how many are just right. I think I’ve found my number and my number is four dogs. 
Well, at least for now.

Dog Song: GoD and DoG by Wendy Francis

It's Saturday.  At For Love of a Dog that means it's time for a dog song.  Grab a dog or two.  You might want some tissues (I did.)  Sit.  Stay.  Relax and enjoy GoD And DoG  written, recorded, and animated by Wendy Francis.

Dog Song: Black Dog featuring Jon Shelton

Okay, it's Saturday so For Love of a Dog has fetched another original dog song for you.  This one is a bit different since it features original art, as opposed to video shot of real dogs.  A dog story told in pictures and verse.  Sit.  Stay.  Relax and enjoy Black Dog featuring Jon Shelton

Sherman and the Thanksgiving Pumpkin Pie

Sherman communing with fowl.

Another Thanksgiving is under (and stretching) our belts.  The canines enjoyed their turkey bits.  In fact, as soon as Gary pulled the big roaster out of the mudroom closet, Tucker took up residence in the kitchen.  Close enough to keep a nose on the essence of turkey, but far enough away to avoid getting tripped over.  (We don't call him stealth dog for nothing.)

As we gathered at the table we all shared memories from times past and had a good chuckle at Sherman's expense.  Shermie traveled the rainbow bridge years ago, but still provides us with great entertainment.  One Thanksgiving, family and friends were in the dining room awaiting their dessert.  Imagine my shock when I got a look at the pies sitting on the kitchen counter.  Both had been sampled.  Great gaping empty spaces where pie should be.  Sherman had obviously enjoyed the pumpkin more than the apple pie.  

Honestly, my first thought was to pitch the pies into the trash.  However, Gary prevailed.  I cut around the missing doggie portions.  Sliced smaller than usual pieces and served the pie.  No one was the wiser.  Well, actually, I was wiser.  I never again left food unattended on the counter while Sherman was alive.

When I Am Old, An Ode to Loving Dogs

I don't know where this comes from or who wrote it, though I confess that if I'd written it, it would be fitting.

When I Am Old

I shall wear turquoise and soft gray sweatshirts
and a bandana over my silver hair
and I shall spend my Social Security checks on sweet wine and my dogs.....
and sit in my house on my well-worn chair
and listen to my dogs breathing.

I will sneak out in the middle of a warm summer night
and take my dogs for a run, if my old bones will allow...
and when people come to call, I will smile and nod as I show them my dogs...
and talk of them and about them...
The Ones so Beloved of the Past and the Ones so Beloved of Today...

I still will work hard cleaning up after them and mopping and feeding them
and whispering their names in a soft, loving way.
I will wear the gleaming sweat on my throat, like a jewel
and I will be an embarrassment to all...
and my family, who have not yet found the peace
in being free to have dogs as your Best Friends...

These friends, who always wait, at any hour, for your foot fall...
and eagerly jump to their feet out of a sound sleep,
to greet you as if you are a god.
with warm eyes full of adoring love and hope that you will stay
and kiss their dear sweet heads...
and whisper to their very special company...

I look in the Mirror...
and see I am getting old...
this is the kind of woman I am...
and have always been.

Loving dogs is easy, they are a part of me, accept me for who I am.
My dogs appreciate my presence in their lives.
When I am old this will be important to me.
You will understand when you are old...
and if you have dogs to love, too.

Author Unknown

Read more at For Love of a Dogs Jewelry's Bits'nBones stories and humor.

Highway Rescue of Buddy the Senior Collie Dog

I don’t know about you, but I think there’s a special place in heaven for people who rescue animals.

Several months ago my friend, Julie, began thinking about adding another dog to her family. She began to haunt Petfinder and found herself drawn to old dogs. Her feeling was that the dogs in rescues were probably all going to be eventually okay, so her focus became adopting an old dog who was at a shelter. Believing she could give an old dog a new home and provide it a wonderful life for it’s last years, she surfed Petfinder for that certain chemistry that happens.

Not long after she began tempting herself with Petfinder searches, Julie was driving home from the barn where she boards her horse. On the highway she saw a man walking with two dogs. Being a dog lover, as she drove past the trio she took a good look at the dogs. Her heart stopped when she saw that the Collie was matted beyond belief, appeared old and not at all happy. Julie had to keep going, but felt terrible. She yearned to do something for the dog, but struggled with what that could be. She thought about calling on the owner and talking to him about the dog, but she didn’t.

Life went on, weeks passed by. Julie was driving home from the stables again when she spotted a dog trotting down a highway and panting. The dog was so matted that she couldn’t even tell if it was a male or female at first. She suspected he was an older dog since he had some gray and trotted with a bit of a gimp. After checking with a neighbor in the area who had no idea who owned the dog, Julie took him home. Finding it impossible to get a comb through his matted fur, off they went to the vet for shaving. While grooming they found that an old flea collar was imbedded in the matted fur and had to be cut out. Of course, the dog needed a rabies shot, plus the vet found he had a skin infection, ear infection. $150 later, Julie took him home.

There, he fitted in so nicely. He got along with Julie’s Doberman Pinscher, Jake. He was very affectionate towards people, especially little children that came to the house. Julie and her family began looking up names, especially Irish names to call the dog. However, they kept coming back to “Buddy“ because he just seemed like he was a Buddy.
Julie is a responsible animal advocate, so she did due diligence to try to find Buddy’s owner. She checked newspapers and bulletin boards in the area. Left the information at the vet’s office. Julie had had Buddy for about two weeks and he was enjoying himself, perking up, and fitting right into her family.

About this time a friend of Julie’s was in need of hay for her horse. Julie noticed in Craigslist that there was a guy near her that was selling hay. So, she gave the phone number to her friend. Her friend went to see the hay. It was there that Julie’s friend discovered Buddy’s owner. Buddy belonged to the hay seller’s brother. The Collie dog was 12 years old, relegated to living at the barn alone and suffered in the winter from skin problems. This past fall the dog began coming up to all humans at the barn and barking for no apparent reason.

Julie talked with the owner of the dog. After explaining how she came by him, plus the money they’d spent on vet care, and how very attached her family had become to him, the owner decided to let Julie keep him. The owner told Julie the dog’s name was… Buddy.

This fellow used to walk with his two dogs along the highway. And yes, they are the trio Julie was months earlier. And when Julie picked him up, Buddy was trotting away from his barn home, not going towards it.

Today Buddy is doing great and his coat is growing out, showing what a beautiful boy he really is. He may have grown up in a barn, but he’s now housebroken and doesn’t let Julie forget a single mealtime. He loves to sleep on his blankie next to his playmate, Jake the Doberman. Buddy is a much younger twelve years than he was before.

Sometimes I truly believe there are no coincidences in life. Sometimes seemingly stray and unrelated events all come together in ways we would not anticipate. Timing in life can be everything. Did Buddy catch the wave of Julie’s intention to rescue a needy older dog? Was he trotting towards her because he knew he should? Was Julie drawn to older dogs because somehow she was preparing for her rescue of Buddy? Meant to be? You decide.

Fetch more dog stories at For Love of a Dog.