My Promise To Them

The other morning was a rough one. It was one of those mornings when I woke up I was missing Brody very much and had been feeling discouraged about my house hunt. 

I thought about it for awhile and processed my feelings on missing him, but grateful that I have the others and a new little soul to join our family soon. It helped and by the time I left for work, I was in better spirits and knowing in my heart the promises I needed to put down for myself to the fur kids who choose to share their lives and hearts with mine. 

So, here goes.....  I promise to always care for you all to the fullest I can possibly do and then some. I promise to listen to you, and love you with all my heart. I understand that you chose to be with me for the long haul. I will never leave you and will always stay with you. I have learned that you all are my insipration and teachers also. You already fill my life with joy and happiness, and I will endeavor to make sure yours is full of love and happiness. I realize that some days I may be frustrated at things beyond my control, but I will never take that frustration out on you nor give you cause to be frightened of me intentionally. I promise to never strike you and do my best to speak to you with my heart, eyes and a calmer voice. 

And when the time comes that you may need me to help you pass with dignity and no pain or fear, know that though it breaks my heart to let you go, I will do that ultimate act of compassion for you. 

You all are my heart mates and you all fill me with a zest for life and a lot of joy and love. I promise to do my very best to love you completely and keep you with me as long as you desire. 

You chose me for your own reasons, and I am very blessed and humbled by this. I pray daily that we all get to spend many more wonderful years together and have many adventures in fun. 

And yes Abby, you have a baby sister coming soon to play with you and help you fill that void with the loss of your buddy. And yes sweetheart, I have seen your desire to be close to and interact with the other dogs that come through the campground and you are so happy to play with the big Lab in the trailer next to us. So, yes, I know you miss your bud and want another friend. Be patient my love, shes coming..... And while we wait for her Abby, we will enjoy our nightly girly pillow talk together. And you too Punkin, you'll have a new tag playmate to play with when she gets here. Then maybe, just maybe dear Punkin you will let me sleep longer! 

Changes In Hearts and Deeper Bonds

It's the little things I think that you notice more with yourself and your other fur babies as you progress through the grieving process. It makes tighter bonds between us all. 

We all are missing him. you don't always realize what amazing things they bring to your life until they leave us. 

As a little family here still in the RV, we have grown closer and changes have slowly been happening in our desires to be closer. 

I think perhaps the most profound small change I have seen and been so blessed to experience is with Abby. See, Abby loves everyone, she loves attention, loves to be talked to, played with and interacting with everyone she meets with a smile. But she has never been comfortable being held or cuddled. She gets very anxious being cuddled or having her feet touched. But over the last week, this is changing. she is learning to snuggle up with me in bed now at night a few times. She is learning to snuggle as Brody would snuggle with me. Up against my chest, under my chin sharing my pillow. While this has been bittersweet for me, it has also been comforting I think to us both. It isn't for the whole night, but for short time periods, maybe an hour or more. It is happening more often now. 

This has brought us much closer and we communicate on a whole other level now. Much is said through our eyes, no words needed. The loss of a very bright spot in our lives is also helping Abby trust more now and find new comforts and experiences. Perhaps this is a step in her healing from the horrible life she had her first 7 years. 

It's a small change, but its growth and it is a very profound change for her. I am so proud of her, and her journey of healing inside. I just love her to pieces, and pray all the time that she and I will have many more years together. There is not anything I would not do for my companions. They give me so very much. 

Even the cats are closer to me and Abby, it is quite the furry pile in bed at nights. And I feel in my heart that the new puppy that will enter our lives in a few weeks will help us all smile more and laugh a lot. Abby kinda needs a new kid to worry over and mother and a companion for her during the days while I work. Overall, in my heart I know the little soul has chosen us to share life and lessons with. So I am looking forward to her arrival. Hoping though that I will either be in my new home or be in one very shortly. 

This has been quite the journey, not one I would ever willingly take again, but it has opened so many new things, healing, love, bonding and hope.

Reflecting......

This has been a tough time, and getting ones feelings down on paper as it were is not easy. Although writing is cathartic and helps you deal with the emotions and grief.

Yesterday I finally received Brody's ashes. This is not an easy thing to really deal with, but the thought in my mind and heart was that he would finally be home again with me.

Let me digress a little about things and him. As in my heart he was a very special dog in my life and an amzing little soul.

This little dog started life in a puppy mill. A mill is an absolutely horrific way to start a life. And in my thinking, no soul should have to live in a cage you can barely turn around in or live in cleanly. He had no chance to be a happy playful pup as he should have been, no chance to experience love or the wonder of life. That came after he was two and rescued by the amazing folks with National Mill Dog Rescue.

When I met him, he was terrified of just about everything. People, the wind, banging noises, you name it. Although i knew in my heart he was to be my heart mate before i even met him in person, just by seeing his picture online. I think I was probably the happiest person and so excited when they approved my application and I was able to drive to Colorado to meet him and bring him home. When I did finally meet him, that feeling that he was meant to be a part of my heart was firmly cemented. As I loved on him I promised him that day I would never hurt or harm him, always care for him and keep him by my side always. And I did.

I knew it would be a long road to healing his fears and his heart, help him trust and be a happy dog. Although he made great strides in the short time he was a part of me.

You see, as time moved forward, I came to realize that he rescued me and healed my heart as much as I helped him. He and Abby were my daily inspiration to love fully, be kind and happy despite all odds. As I watched him learn to play, scare himself silly the first time he barked, to being such a happy sunny and active boy, I too grew in many ways. As our bond grew more, there was nothing more contenting to know that he was most content within himself when being next to me no matter what I was doing. He even had to be there when I was painting the house or rooms, always getting paint in his fur, or watching me as I cooked or baked, laying next to me as I watched TV or crocheted, and he loved sleeping with me and cuddling close at night. Both dogs have brought so much peace and contentment to my life.

I think one of my favorite memories is watching him learn to go up and down the stairs then joyfully racing up them when playing chase with the kittens. The kittens absolutely loved this game and quite often initiated it. Starting with him chasing them, then they chased him, and they all had the best time. The three of them became very bonded and the best of friends. He was also the only dog that Jasmine accepted and loved in her own way. The night I brought him home, both she and Yummy went straight up to him and sniffed, then rubbed on him then washed his face. Much to his consternation and wonder at who and what they were. It was quite the thing to witness and experience.

From living in a cage the first two years of his life to learning to wag is stumpy little tail, learning to play, talk, experince the grass and ocean, and learning about love. This little man amazed me and cemented himself into my heart with his capacity to love in return.

It has been quite the journey learning with them and trying to experience life as they have new experiences and they joy in discovering them. I truly feel that it has made me a better person, and taught me to be more kind in my every day life.

There are so many memories of little things that live large in me that I know I won't get them all written down. But I do know this, sharing your heart and life with a soul, no matter the species, if you are open enough and willing, will change your life and make it all the more amazing.

I do have to say, that I cannot imagine my life ahead without the Corgi breed in it. The natural disposition and hugeness of their hearts is something I always want in my life. They will go out of their way to make you smile and be happy. Neither Abby nor Brody could stand to see me unhappy in any way, and it wasn't long before they would have me smiling and happy again, no matter what. I have simply been amazed with their resliency and capacity for love and life.

I know there will be another before long to help fill our void and loss. I think perhaps it has been hardest on me watching his companions grieve for him and miss him so very much. He was a vital part of our family. I feel that a Pup would help them heal and fill that void. So we are searching for that one who will need us and choose us to share their heart and soul with.

Please if you truly love animals, and want one in your life, be prepared to give them the best and know that you take that responsibility of their care for their life. They are not to be ignored, discarded because its inconvienent, or just a decoration of status. They are a life, a living and breathing soul with heart and feelings much like us. they do rely on us to ensure they are well cared for, fed and happy and most of all loved. It is so worth it in the end for all they give back to us and teach us. I have learned more about forgiveness, happiness, living in the moment and most of all love and compassion with them all than I could have ever experienced or learned on my own.

In short, he will always hold a very special place in my heart and soul, and I miss him terribly, but I know there is another soul out there waiting to share his or her life with me and perhaps needs me. It seems it has always been this way, and always will be. And despite the fact that quite often there is heartbreaks that will come, the beautiful things learned and shared are so very, very worth it. Knowing you were needed and loved by them makes it worth it.

Life, love and death

These are my kids, they chose me to share their lives and love with. And they do it well. There is not anything I would not do for them. Including fighting for their life and pushing for good vet care.

Such was the case over the past several weeks when Brody became ill. I took him to one vet who did not really listen to me when I brought up all his symptoms. Though he ran bloodwork and urine tests, all he could do was put us on antibiotics because he thought he had a slight rise in temp. That was on a Saturday. By Monday night I knew he was worse, not eating, and a bit dehydrated and having mild seizures. Off to the emergency vet! They ran bloodwork again with the same results, everything looks normal. Took an X-ray and due to a distended and full stomach and empty bowel it was decided that perhaps there was a blockage the X-ray did not show, so he had surgery. Found nothing but food. Sent us home the next day with more pills and to try to get some food into him. That Thursday, he ate on his own and an hour later had a small seizure. So we went back to vet number one on Friday, which happened to be a good day for my boy. He did Good Friday and most of Saturday, but still no solutions or answers from the vet, despite my pushing. He didnt like an informed pet owner. By the
next Tuesday it was decided to put him on phenobarbital.
Wednesday he did ok and finally ate on his own, but was losing coordination and Wednesday night had a grand mal an hour after his dose. Another round with the emergency vet, no answers, only the suggestion that I take him to the university animal hospital on the campus where I work. We did that following afternoon after trying to discuss with vet number one about it all. He basically just said keep giving him the pheno and take him to a specialist.
Thank god the vet at the university clinic listened to me. They admitted him and scheduled an MRI for the next morning. I loved and cried on my boy but felt some hope that some one was willing to listen and help me find answers.
The next day I got the most heartbreaking answers ever. The one I feared the most. It was a tumor and there was no good prognosis. And it was going to be risky to bring him out from the anesthesia as the likelihood of a cluster or never ending grand mal seizure was too great. I had to let him go without being there or helping him transition.
Absolutely the hardest decision of my life. And the most hurtful. You see I absolutely love these little dogs with all my heart. I wouldn't quit fighting for them. They both had such a crappy start to life, they deserved the best. And they both bring me so much joy and happiness, and the ability to deal with anything I can. They've been my inspiration of forgiveness, absolute love, wonder of the world and new experiences, and compassion. I am grateful I still have Abby to help us both grieve and heal.

I cannot forget my happy cuddly boy. He was special. And cancer is a horrific disease that I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy. I know I did the right thing and gave him the absolute gift of compassion, but it doesn't make the loss any easier. Even the cats who loved him dearly have grieved.

Don't ever stop fighting for your kids, be they two or four legged. They depend on us to care for and love them. I am glad I fought for him, he was worth every moment and penny. And so is Abby and all the kitties.

Animals love us unconditionally and teach us so much. You wouldn't just take pills for an answer for your children when you know there is something much more wrong, so don't do it for your fur kids either.

Love them as much as you can every day, cherish the moments you have with them

Furry kids and birds and things

It's been a couple of weeks since I posted about the kids and adjusting to change. We've begun to settle into some sort of a routine these days. We are still living in the RV and the fur kids seem comfy here despite the size restrictions.

The kitties still love the new "kitty TV" channels here. They watch the birds come up to the RV and rabbits run all over. Of course the daily games of chase with the dogs is most interesting. And rocks the RV everytime! Punkin is what you'd call a tree kitty, he likes to be up higher and jump from place to place. I think he's a monkey. But the dogs don't mind and chase as they can quite merrily.

Punkin is back to his smarty pants hijincks. Sleeping in is almost impossible on the weekends. He's way too smart for his own good! He's figured out how to turn on the radio on the alarm clock, turn on the TV, and be a pill when he wants me up. Then decides he needs to be lovey when I've growled at him. I'm never sure what mess I will come home to. Goodness! I hope I find a house soon!

Abby looks forward to laying in the grass, talking to all the other dogs that come through the campground, and bedtime. They both get very playful at bedtime, so we spend 5 to 10 minutes playing in the bed and rolling around kicking their legs and rooting around. Then we all settle in to bed for the night. They've become quite the cuddlers at night and both have to sleep with their heads on the pillows. Endearing lil' kids. Brody has taken up snuggling under my chin with my arm over him. Then the cats all pile on top if us. Yummy takes up residence on my pillow using my head as his pillow. I never get cold at night. Though I have. To say getting out of bed in a hurry can be quite the Chinese fire drill.

But overall life is settling into routine. They love to see all the birds and life here. They even like the rain. Hopefully I'll find us a home soon so the dogs have a yard to run around in and bigger tv screens for the kitties.

Week 2 and life with implings in an RV

I've been here two weeks almost but left Santa Fe two weeks ago today. It has been quite the journey with my fur babies. 

We are adjusting and settling in this past week with new routines as I have started my new job. They have all been so good about the whole thing and adapting well to life out here. Although I must say that working on time change has not been with the best results. I rarely get to sleep beyond 4:30 in the morning this week. 

Watching their changes has been fun and a little annoying at times. But mostly fun and keeps me smiling and living in the moment. They have also been my sanity keepers as I have had my share of challenges this past week.

The dogs who had never really experienced grass under their feet before moving here are loving being outdoors. Abby simply loves to lay in it and watch the world. Although she would like to meet the birds running around the campsite. But mostly she is very content to lay there and enjoy the sunshine we have had this week and being outside in the grass. I have seen new confidence in Brody over this time, he is less afraid of new things and likes to explore a bit and walk with me all over. 

As we settle into routines a bit more they both have become more playful. And Punkin and Binx encourage play. For the first time since I have gotten the dogs, they are both able to sleep in the bed with me at nights. Abby particularly LOVES the bed. I think it was the second morning I awoke to her snoring next to me and I turned and opened an eye to find her snuggled next to me sharing my pillow. She in turn opened her eyes and smiled at me, so happy to be with me in bed. This made my day and was a good way to start the day. Bedtime for them brings a bit of playtime on the bed for them both and she is all over the place, bouncing and rooting around and being silly. They both enjoy a little play with me, then we all snuggle in and hit the hay. Which then brings the kitties in to join us. Its very snug with all of us in a little double bed! But then again, who needs heat with all that fur? 

Punkin's new habit is to play in the water with his paw. Which is a total surprise for me as he hates water. Now hes always getting his foot soaked and lapping the water off of it. 

The cats' favorite pasttime and way to spend the evening is to sit at the door when its open and watch the birds and the world go by. I think they feel like this is the best kitty TV ever! Though it can be quite the challenge to take the dogs outside when the kitties don't want to leave their best viewing spot. Creates quite the traffic jam! I love to watch them watching the world, whether from inside like the picture above or their faces from outside. Makes me smile every time! And they are quite content to sit there for as long as I have the outer door open and just watch all the happenings and especially the birds who are brash enough to come right up to the RV. Though the afternoon that a bird walked on the roof the length of the RV caused quite the mayhem inside as they could hear it, but couldn't see it and were frantic to get to it! Hilarious, glad I wasn't up trying to cook at the time, I just stayed out of their way. 

Today I have tentative plans to go to the coast and beach for a little bit with the dogs after the movers are done delivering my stuff. I cannot wait to see how they react to the ocean and sand! If we get there, I will take plenty of pictures and share. It will be their very first time experiencing the water or large body of water! Although I believe i need to find a little portable wagon for Abby so she can enjoy more with us as she cannot walk as much or as long as we can. 

more adventures....

Yesterday's rains brought us all much needed downtime and relaxation. Overall it was a quiet day. We snoozed and cuddled and watched the television.

I realized that Punkin, one of my troublemaker kittens has decided on a new habit. I originally thought he was pawng in the waterbowl to let me know it was empty. However, I find I was mistaken. He's playing in the water! Or rather I think he is perhaps stirring it up before he drinks. For a cat who previously abhorred water except to drink, he loves to paw at it and purposely get his foot wet. I find I am amused and puzzled at these newer behaviors from him.

For the most part, both Jasmine and Binx love to find comfy secluded spots in the pillows on the top bunk over the cab. Usually at a window so they can keep an eye on wildlife. They all about went crazy yesterday when a bird walked on top down the length of the RV. They could certainly hear it but couldn't see it. Much hilarity ensued on my part watching them haul ass down the middle of the RV trying to follow the progress of the bird and trying to gracefully get up on the top bunk. The only one with any grace was Jasmine.

They are enthralled with watching the world outside when I have the door open and they can look out the screen door or if the blinds are up and they can see and hear everything. So much wonder on their expressions! Like right now, I am watching Binx with so much curiosity and enjoyment in his body expression as he sits on the front passenger seat and watches the morning birds outside. And his best buddy Punkin joins him briefly. Dearest Yummy, the old man of the group, seems blase about it all. He is more interested in beauty sleep, unless the door is open. I have to give them credit, not a one of them is interested in going outside, they are just enjoying the kitty TV show that changes constantly and has smells galore!

The dogs are happy snoozing inside or out. Abby loves to stretch out on her belly in the grass in the sun. Brody seems to always be up for exploration and a walk. He has even become more playful as he settles in.

Dearest little Abby has become quite the bed addict. She gets so excited about bedtime and snuggling! I am quite becoming used to her gentle snoring on my pillow next to me. But heaven help me if I dont' pay attention getting into bed, she quickly takes over the bed if she can, and then lays there smiling at me with her goofy smile and seems to be saying ha ha, its mine now!

Feeding times has become creative. If ai feed the kitties first, thr dogs think they should help themselves to it, if I feed the dogs first, well the kitties all horn in. So I am trying to feed kitties first on the top bunk and one of the bench seats for the dinette, then the dogs.  It seems to work so far. Although I will be happy to be back in a house where I can set down a routine again and have more space for us all.

And I will say that cooking is quite the challenge as is eating as the cats feel they ,ust supervise or assist in food tasting.

Moving with pets and the silliness that can ensue....

At some point within the last couple of months I finally decided it was time to leave the city I have lived in for the last 30+ years and strike out for Oregon. I interviewed and was offered a position which started so many changes in a relatively short time.

I long ago knew that my fur babies are my partners and share my like for their lifetime, sooooo . . .  There was no way I was leaving without them. And planning a move with their stress levels and comforta in mind made a huge impact on how I moved.

I currently have the two corgis, and four kitties, one who is over 14 yrs old. So I put on my creative thinking cap!

Long story short, this is what I did. I bought an RV to move myself and the critters in with the basic things, and to live in until I purchase a new home. My thinking was that it would be less stressful on them as a whole, as they would be around our things and not moving in cramped quarters in a crate or car. And it is far cheaper to live in an RV short term than in an Apartment.

Actually, this turned out to be a great idea. The cats arent keen on riding and I wasn't sure how they would ride, so I set up the large dog crate for them to ride in while I was driving. Or at least I did that the first two days, I probably didn't need to do it at all. They rode in the back when they were loose and never got in the way.

By the second day, the dogs settled down more and rode well. And my dear Abby has finally been able to sleep in bed with Brody and myself. And she is loving it! Up until a couple of nights ago, she was content to sleep at my feet and let Brody share my pillow. When I woke yesterday morning, it was to open my eyes to a smiling and snoring Abby facing me on my pillow! It surprised me and I couldn't stop giggling! She really has become the cuddler. It is quite the challenge to get up in the mornings or in a hurry when you're under a mound of furry children. They ALL want to sleep with me in that tiny double bed, at least I'm not cold at nights!

A little history on my kids, the dogs are puppy mill rescues, and really never experienced real green grass to roll in, walk on, or just lay on. The kitties are all kitties from the southwest, no real grass or water or the abundance of interesting wildlife. Do, you can imagine what a change this is for them!

When we arrived, the dogs got a quick walk before bedtime, so grass introductions were short and sweet. But in the morning, it was such fun to watch them sniff, kick it up, roll in it, and just simply live in the moment and enjoy the feel, smell, and joy of it all. What a change this simple vegetation and the move has wrought in them!

Now they want to be outside almost all the time. Abby's favorite thing is to roll a bit, then lay in it and watch the world go by. And as most of the birds around the campground here are not all that concerned with us, they will come within 3-4 feet of you and Abby wants so badly to check them out and say hello!  Brody wants to go exploring now and be outside all the time. He has become more confident and inquisitive. He no linger seems as terrified of new things and things flying overhead or people talking, etc. This includes a biplane crop dusting not far from us yesterday and flying over us. While he didn't care for the noise, he seemed merely curious about it. They both want to play more too.

On the Kitty side of things, our last fuel stop on the way up the I-5 it was after dark. After getting back onto the road, I looked up in my rearview mirror to see Punkin (who is the most adventurous) sitting on the built in night stand in the back watching the world go by out of the huge back window. Not once did I notice him being alarmed, only fascinated and curious about all going on out there. It certainly made me smile. Jasmine on the other hand is most curious when we are stopped, otherwise, she prefers to be under the covers when she can be. Though to the kittens, this is quite the adventure. Yummy is rather blase about it all.

The first time several flocks of Canadian Geese flew over, honking, the kitties were like, WOW! What is that? Their expressions were priceless. They love the birds that flock into the trees on either side of the campsite. I am positive they would say that the kitty TV here has far better  channels and smells out here. I am waiting for them to see their first deer, raccoon, or opossum.

Right now, they think the RV is a cool place and it challenges Punkin's tree dwelling skills in their play time and what he can get into. It hasn't been a dull trip, and I know I made the right decisions to come here and do the move the way I did. It is certainly entertaining this way! But I do have to say, that to see them experience and find sheer joy in new things and experiences, like grass, is priceless. And it reminds me once again to live in the moment and stop and revel in the little things in life, for they can bring the most pleasure!

Loving little changes and growth

Learning to enjoy and revel in the little changes and growth of a rescued pet and puppy mill survivor increases those bonds you make with that pet and is so very rewarding!

I am constantly amazed at how much peace and happiness my bunch share with me. To look in their eyes you can truly see how much they love you and how happy they become. Or to watch a little girl like Abby here who always smiles when she sleeps, and wonder how she does it when you know she was abused and unloved for the first 7 years of her life. For her to bounce back and be so happy through it all and believe me, she does love everyone she meets. Little things like this melts my heart and fills me to the brim with happiness.

To be able to come home to these two little dogs who are always genuinely ecstatic to see me in the evenings, makes my day complete and releases the day's stresses from work. This makes my house a home and a happy place.

I cannot begin to imagine anyone who could be so cruel in their treatment of these animals, nor can I begin to imagine the horrors they must have gone through. I only know that I've seen them bounce back, learn to be happy, no longer afraid, and learn to trust people again.

Brody is still making advances and showing his happiness and personality every day. He doesn't like me out of his sight when I'm home, he's learned to be more and more relaxed around strangers in the house, he's learned to play, finally give tentative kisses to me on the nose or cheek and it is an absolute joy to watch how excited he gets when it's bed time and he loves snuggling in bed with me and the cats. He's also learned to be patient and very gentle in waking me when he has to go out in the middle of the night. Unlike Punkin who thinks I should wake to suit him when he wants and be a little smug devil about it.

Both dogs love to sleep on the couch and cuddle with me and their kitten buddies who are both rescues themselves. However, quite often if I make the mistake of getting up for something, they tend to take over the sofa. Then as much as I hate to move them, if I want to sit somewhere other than the floor, I have to move them.

Abby loves everyone who walks through the door for the most part, though there has only been one person who ever came into the house that she did not like and expressed that dislike by barking and growling at that person. She loves all the kittens I have fostered in past and wants to mother them all. She still mothers the two who've stayed as they grow and they adore her, that's their momma dog. Although I will say that Punkin, pictured above, really loves Brody best and is rarely far from him.

It has been an amazing journey learning from them and watching them grow and develop their personalities. And I love how they talk, Corgis have their own talk and don't just bark to bark, they talk. I have also firmly decided that there is nothing cuter than watching a corgi from behind as he goes downstairs. Always, always makes me smile. Or watching him race up the stairs and stand with a goofy doggie grin at the top waiting for me. I never miss an opportunity to tell and express to them how much I love them.

Although the new thing we're working on for Brody is his becoming protective of me. He will woof or growl sometimes at the roommate's dog if he perceives he's in my space and does this really only when both the rommie and I are in the room. He has also woofed and watched others in the house warily. We've been working on redirecting. I have to say that he's smart and quick to pick up the redirection, but never loses sight of a potential "threat" to me. The moment I see him tense and start a low growl, we redirect with a firm no, or his name and placing my hand on him. This works for him and he won't jump down and try to chase off Rico, thereby starting an argument. He'll quiet down and just watch, then in a couple minutes he ignores the situation and gives me a tentative kiss. looking for the approval for being a good boy. Which is my cue to give him his favorite thing, and ear massage, which calms him further.

Currently Brody's favorite game is to play tag with the kittens, or rather, catch me if you can and I'll sneak up and swat you game. Watching this interplay always makes me laugh. You'll see the kittens egg him on, (sometimes Abby gets in on it) he chase the kittens, and when they come round a corner or back down the stairs, the kittens are chasing him. Even my slightly older female cat, Jasmine gets in on the fun. A lot of the time Punkin likes to run up behind or onto something and wait till the dogs go by and playfully swat them and run starting the chase all over again. And if the doggies actually corner one, the kitten usually rolls over and lets the dogs molest them or push them around with their noses, then he gets up and the chase begins again. Binx is the most tolerant about the dogs molesting him. And it's these stories that makes my veterinarian laugh and surprised. He thought perhaps the corgis were herding the cats, as that's their nature. I just laugh and say it's the other way round. And then show him pictures like the one above and he gets it, smiling and amazed that they're all such best friends.

Don't get me wrong, both dogs still have fears of things that make them anxious, for example any sharp report/sound that sounds like a gun will send them both, especially Brody into a panic and he will get very clingy. Unhappy people or upset folks make them anxious and Abby does her best at redirection by distraction by talking at them, and being silly and dancing around. She's trying to get the person to let go of the anger and laugh at her. Bless her lil' heart.

Yeah, I am very amazed at the resilience of these two little dogs, who are learning to love, play and be happy as they should have been all their lives. And watching them learn to forgive humans and trust us again. Yeah love, patience and compassion goes a long ways. They're so sunny and make my heart complete.

If you've never adopted a rescued dog, do so, it's so very worth it, and you'll be surprised at who rescued who. We humans have a lot to learn from animals, and it's time to help stop acts of cruelty and neglect. Do what you can, adopt, volunteer, foster, educate.... Doesn't matter the breed to species, they all deserve our respect and we can learn a lot from them. Please never buy, always adopt. Get involved, learn yourself to care about something other than yourself, it's so very worth it, I promise.