Awesomeness:: Day 4:: Happy Birthday, Pixie Marie!

This is so AWESOME!
5 years ago, a retired greyhound named Pixie came into my life through the Minnesota Greyhound Rescue.  I had applied with another group for a hound.  They told me to download their application, and that I should mail the application in soon.  I would probably have a dog by the end of October.  (This was early September.)

So, I went to the site, and found that I could fill the application in online and submit it there.  So, I did.  Turns out, I had applied to the wrong group.  This was in mid- September.
However, the AWESOME part of this accident of fate was that I had adopted Pixie Marie and had her by the first of October!!!

How AWESOME is that?  So, it was only a matter of days before we celebrated first birthday with her at home! (This bone was a gift!)

AWESOME!  AWESOME!  AWESOME!! 

 Before Pixie came to live with me, I googled the name Pixie.  The site this name search sent me to, well, let me say this,  I added the Marie.  (Trust me, what is seen cannot be unseen!) 

Then the AWESOMENESS began.  

 Pixie began to train me well.  She chose her couch.  I am still not allowed to sit on it.  She decided that sleeping in bed with me was not what she wanted to do, except on the coldest of nights.  She taught me that she had her favorite foods and treats.  She loved her birthday cupcake, and she gets on every year!

Other than that, Pixie Marie and I seem to get along quite well, as long as we do what she wants.  She's a great friend!  I've learned so much from her.

If you're tired, why not go to sleep?

If you're not tired, why not go to sleep?

The bed is big enough for the both of us, if move over.

I'm not moving, but you are!

I love cupcakes!

You can buy them for me any time you like.

Don't be late with my dinner.

I will live with kitties, but make them leave me alone.

Yes, life is all about me.

HAPPY 10th BIRTHDAY,

MISS PIXIE MARIE! 

This is Day 4 of this writing challenge.  To read more articles of the 31 Day Reading Challenge click

HERE.

Look at the categories.  Click on the category of your choice.  Scroll down and click on the button of your choice.  You will see hundreds of blogs to read.

Day 1: Simple Blessings 

 

Day 2: How can you say a Rainy day is Awesome? 

 

Day 3::Three Beautiful Things This Week.

 

 

Pixie, the Hospice Therapy Dog

I honestly don't know how Hospice got my name, but one day, in my email, was a note from the volunteer coordinator of hospice asking if I would be interested in joining the hospice team with Pixie.  I had to really think about this, and I did say yes.  I had to go through a background check, of course, and I had to jump through a few hoops, including some training.  Then I received my first assignment.  And we were off. 

This photo is one of Pixie as she's waiting in the car to leave for "work."  If there's enough time in the car, Pixie grabs a quick nap.  I'm not allowed to take photos in the nursing homes or of the clients with whom we work, and that is fine with me.  As soon as we walk in the doors of the facilities where we "work," Pixie hikes up her shoulders and heads down the halls.

It's amazing to see her "work."  We leave smiles in the pathways we walk.
Everyone seems to know her name.  They don't know mine!! :)  That's okay. 

We have met some wonderful women and men.  Most of them like dogs, but those who say they don't, we assure that we will not come near them.  In one mental facility, one gentleman told me he hated dogs and that if he had his 22, he'd shoot Pixie.  I assured him that we would not go near him.  Pixie didn't like him at all!

I've found that Pixie is very sensitive and picks up a lot of information as she works. 

1) I have found that if someone is actively dying, even if they are not aware of it, she will go into their rooms, but she will not go near them.
I thought that was interesting.

2) I have found that if someone doesn't like dogs, or if they prefer cats, Pixie will go to them, very reluctantly. 

3) I have found that, often, staff sometimes need Pixie's visits more than clients.

4) I have found that Pixie likes her ice cream treats when she is finished.

5) I have found that there are some very wonderful people who know they are dying but still wish to live as much as they can while they are alive.

6) I have found that Pixie is a good hospice therapy dog.

4) 

This is Where Pixie and I went today for our hospice work...

We are changing facilities.

This nursing home is only about 8 minutes from my home.

The grounds are beautiful!

Pixie had a great time exploring!

We were waiting for another volunteer to give us an orientation of the facility.

We waited and waited and waited.

Only then did we find out,

We were at the

WRONG

facility!!!!

So, we jumped into the car to drive to the other facility which is only 

4 blocks from my house.

We did have fun!

Then Pixie went to work!

She brought smiles to the residents there.

Oh, well, 

I'm glad we had fun!

Focus on Life - Week 26 - You Pick!

The Eyes of Love

I'm so Proud of Pixie Marie!

We went to visit the elderly Good Counsel Sisters on the Hill as it is called here.  This is the "retirement" home for nuns in this order as they age.  Believe me, it is really not retirement for them, but that's another story. 

Pixie was a therapy dog, on her own, for the first time.  We visited the nuns in the nursing home portion of the convent.  We must have had over 20 sisters come to visit with Pixie.

She did great, and they loved her!!  Pixie charmed her way through treats and ear rubs to their hearts.  One sweet elderly nun asked me. "What is her name?"  I told her.  "How old is she?"  I told her.  "How long do these dogs live?" I told her.  Then she said, "What's her name?"  "How old is she?"  "How long do these dogs live?"  Rinse, repeat.  She was sweet.  Pixie liked her. 

The nuns who chose to do so, petted Pixie, gave her treats, and rubbed her ears.  One elderly nun asked me to move closer.  She was blind, but I didn't realize this.  Pixie liked her, too.  Pixie was kind and gentle.  We visited with the good sisters for over an hour.  When we left, Pixie jumped in the car and fell asleep.  I'm sure many of the nuns napped after we left, too.

It was a big day for everyone!!!

It's All About How You Handle Your Humans

When things get stressful, it’s okay to remove yourself from the situation and get on the couch to sleep.

When you get a treat you don’t like, spit it out because you will get a new one and the kind you like! 

If you don’t want to do something, be sure to get on the couch and go to sleep.  Then no one can make you do anything you don’t want to do.

If you want something, look into your human’s eyes with a look of love.  It works every time.

Sleep every chance you get. 

When you want your picture taken, pose.  Humans think it’s cute when you do this.  They will take pictures then leave you alone so you can sleep.

If you want to smell your human’s butt, you have to sneak up on them and then make it look like it was an accident.  They don’t get mad at you then.  I still don’t see the problem.

When you don’t want to play “where’s Pixie,” just let your human cover her eyes and give her a bump noses.  After that things go back to normal and you can go back to sleep.

When your human makes you move from your comfortable place on the bed just to pull the covers up, get up and leave.  Humans want you there, and they really don’t need covers.  They will come and get you.  You will get the warm place in bed, and they still won’t have covers!

When it snows outside, be sure to run in the snow.  Humans like to see you run, then sneak around them to go in the house, especially if your feet are muddy.  They are so happy because you were running they forget about the mud. 

It’s all about how you handle your humans.  Now, I need to sleep. 

Tonight is another Observation....

We'll be going to a nursing home where Pixie will join the other therapy dogs to visit with the residents.

Wish us luck.  

This is the first time at a nursing home, 

and

it's her second observation.

There will only be one more to go after this one!!!

Wooooooo Hooooooo!!!

The girl is on her way!!!

Guess Who Passed her Therapy Dog Test!!!!

That's right!!!

Pixie is going to be a therapy dog.

She has two more observations to go, and then, it's official!!

Pixie will receive her red heart and scarf.

She will be able to give of herself without even knowing she's doing it!!

I'm so proud of the girl!!!

She's almost a therapy dog!!!

You Can't Yell at Her! It's Her Birthday Today!

Happy Birthday,

Pixie Marie!

Here's Pixie with her birthday cupcake!

She could hardly believe her eyes when she saw her cupcake!

Of course, I had to take off the dangerous stuff so she could eat her cupcake!

Her cake is ready!!!

Pixie starts on her cupcake!!!

She decided to carry it to the middle of the living room floor.

Here's what's left of her cupcake,

on the living room floor.

She's happy,

and

you can't yell at her, 'cuz it's her birthday!!!

Happy birthday, Pixie Marie!!!

I'm Stuck

I had no ideas for a blog.  So, you get to see a fun picture of Pixie.  She was being coy because she wanted the left overs from dinner.  She's such a diva!!  Have a wonderful day!!!

A Love Story Worthy of the Mistake

Yes, I was grieving for Spike, my dobbie of 13 years, but I knew I needed another dog in my life. (I think he had something to do with this!)  The day Jenny and I took him in to the vet, I sobbed.  Even now, I sob for the loss of that dog.  He had been with me through some terrible times in my life, and he gave me his unconditional love.

After Spike had been resting for about a week, I was talking to a friend about a new dog.  I told her, "I think I want a greyhound."  I was stunned.  Where had that come from?  I hadn't thought of a greyhound since we had our beautiful Bailey, who had died from lymphoma a year and  a half after we brought him home.  That was a wound that had not healed.  I had sworn no more hounds!  So, where did that come from?

I went online to look at greyhound rescue groups.  There are 3 in Minnesota.  I called one group.  I was told to download the application and send it in.  They would evaluate my application, and let me know.  They also said that they would have to do a home inspection.  Okay.  I remembered that from Bailey.   I went online, and to my delight, I found that I could submit the form online!  I filled it out, and waited until the end of the week.  I received a call from the Minnesota Greyhound Rescue.  Yes, they were glad I had submitted my application.  Could they come and do a home visit?  Had I looked at Pixie?  She was a dog that needed a special home, and they felt that mine might be the one. 

Yes, I had seen her, but she looked a little strange.  Oh, don't worry about that, she just didn't want to have her picture taken that day.  Okay.   How about if we arrange a get together?  

Okay. 

Better yet, how about if I bring her to Mankato, and if you like her, you can keep her.

Okay. 

We are now into two weeks post Spike.  Kelley was coming to town the next week.  Would I be available?  Of course!

The van arrived and three dogs got out.  When they came in, two of the dogs jumped on the couch and love seat.  Kelley asked if that was all right.  Of course.  Are you sure?  Yes.  The third dog just looked at me and made herself comfortable on the floor.  In the meantime, Kelley and I talked a bit.  She said, "Do you want to keep her?" 

Wow!  Of course! 

So Kelley loaded up the other two hounds, and Pixie looked at me.  She was a big suspicious.  Kelley left, and I ran around getting out food and water dishes.  I had some left over food from Spike, so that was good.

I remembered what Ceasar Milan had said about welcoming a new dog into the home.  Take them for a walk.  Be calm and assertive.  I put a leash on Pixie, and she looked at me like, "What are we doing?"
I took her for our first walk together.  She had no idea of what to do, but she seemed to like it.  We came home.  I showed her the bed on which she would sleep.  She jumped on the bed and went to sleep.
The next morning, she woke me up.  I think she needed to go potty.  I woke up to a cold nose on my face and those beautiful eyes staring into mine, and she nipped my nose.  Whoa!!!  That wasn't supposed to happen.  Little did I know, she was a diva!  So, we began to learn about each other.  I never felt from her the affection I had felt from Spike.  Pixie was more aloof, but she loved a good ear rub.  She loved people!  She liked other dogs.  She loved to run. 

About three weeks into our relationship, I received a call from the greyhound rescue.  They called to let me know that they hadn't received my application yet and wanted to know if I was still interested in a greyound?
What?  That's right.  I had applied to the wrong organization!  But things were so right, because, I had Pixie.
More on our love story later.  It's been almost 3 years now, and I have to admit, she does own my heart!!!

Chapter 2 will be coming up next week.  Pixie and I did become friends.

Who Else but the Diva?

Pixie loves her treats!!!  She loves them so much that when she eats them, she spreads her cache all over the floor.  The word treat takes Pixie to the place in the kitchen where her favorite treat is located.  What is Pixie's favorite treat?  Usually, any kind of junk food treat.  With all the problems with the ingredients in treats from other countries, I have to keep an eye on what she eats.  I do have her "healthy" treats on hand, too.  Usually, they are her least favorite to the point where I pick them off the floor, not eaten.  Sheesh!  She's such a diva!!!

Fast forward. Pixie and I were out for a walk recently, when one of Pixie's friends came out for a visit.  No, I'm not talking about another dog, I'm talking about one of the neighbors.  Pixie saw her and ran to her!  Pixie knows that the neighbor always has treats for her!!!  As we chatted, the neighbor was feeding Pixie treats.  Neither of us paid attention until the neighbor said, "She's really hungry today."  We both looked down to see Pixie spit out the treats.  She didn't like them.  I was so embarrassed!  I just smiled, pulled Pixie along.  Our neighbor found 10 treats on her driveway.  I guess Pixie really didn't like them.  I think they were expensive, too.  I only wish we could avoid the house for a while.  No matter, I don't think Pixie will be getting any more treats for a bit from her favorite neighbor!!

I am such a terrible person! How could I do this to Pixie Marie?

It all started yesterday afternoon.

Something smelled and needed a

B.A.T.H.,

but how could I do this to her?

She tolerated the indignity, but before I could catch her and dry her,

Miss Pixie Marie was down the stairs and on the couch.

She got to the couch before I could cover her with a towel or cover the couch.

When I covered her with the towel, she wouldn't even look at me!

Yes, she was trying to guilt me!

Notice the look,

"How could you do this to me?"

Well, she does look better now.

She certainly smells better now.

And, as with all that ails you,

a little sun,

and 

a special treat,

makes everything so much better!

I'm still not quite forgiven, but things are better!

She might allow me to continue to be her owner.

Remember,
I have a blog giveaway going on.
Just leave a comment on this post to enter.
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I Heart Macro! My Favorite Model!

My Favorite Model agreed to pose for

I Heart Macro this week!

So, here she is!

 

I Heart Macro!

There's my Girl!

Happy Valentinte's Day! and Pixie Treats

Happy Valentine's Day!

As you know, I dearly love Pixie Marie!

She's spoiled and loving.

She is my Valentine this year,

so, in response to the new revelations about the FDA's concerns about pet treats and food processed in China,

I decided that I would begin to make Pixie her treats unless the packaging showed me they were made in the US.

Her food is made in the USA.

So, I began my research.

I found most recipes that I found online contained about 2 cups of flour, whether it be wheat flour, whole wheat flour, rice flour or oat flour.

Like cookies, they needed a fat.

I used peanut butter.

Then you need a wetting agent.

You can use broth, juice, apple sauce, baby food.

Well, you get the picutre.

I also added some flavor enhancer which is a concentrated broth.

So, here's what I did.

I used 1 cup of rice flour and 1 cup of oat flour.

I added 1 cup of peanut butter to the flour mixture.

Then I added 2 small containers of peas, 2 large containers of chicken and rice baby food, 1 package of flavor enhancer, and, as a special treat, some well cooked and drained bacon.

I mixed everything together using a wooden spoon.  This is what it looked like.

I lined a cookie sheet with parchment paper.

While the oven was preheating to 350 degrees, I formed the dough into grape sized balls and smashed them into cookie discs.

I baked the "cookies" at 350 degrees for 15 minutes.

I cooled the "cookies" for about 5 minutes.

I ended up with two cookie sheets full of these cookies so the first batch cooled longer than the second batch.

After the second batch had cooled, I combined both batches on to one cookie sheet and put the cookie sheet back into the cooling oven for about a half an hour. 

This step helped to crisp them up.

I have the equivalent of two boxes of treats now for Pixie.

I plan to freeze them into four batches, then when Pixie wants a treat, she has one that I know is safe for her to eat.

I hate to admit this, but I tasted them, and, well, I didn't like them, but Pixie sure does!

Happy Valentine's Day!

I Heart Macro - Xmas is coming!

I Heart Macro!

Xmas is coming

and

Pixie is ready!

She's Ready!

I Heart Macro!

I Heart Macro - A Killing Frost and Pixie Marie

The symbol of HoPe after a killing frost.

It's still there!

Pixie doesn't like Halloween!

She's doing it to me again!

I Heart Macro!

Happy Birthday, Miss Pixie Marie!

Two years later, we celebrate her 7th Birthday!

Happy Birthday, Miss Pixie Marie!

She took off running with her cupcake!

She ran to her bed and devoured her cupcake!

Even the crumbs were gone!

She tried to pretend she didn't eat it!

But empty plates don't lie.

Then it was off to Pet Expo where Pixie got to pick out her present.

Which one will she choose?

She's still not sure.

She's made her decision.

This is what she wanted!

Then she saw her friend, Kathy!

This made Pixie's day perfect!

Happy birthday, Pixie!

Weekly Photo Challenge - Faces

In honor of Pixie cuteness month,

the many faces of Pixie Marie!

It's so Hard to Believe! It's been 2 years since I first met Miss Pixe Marie! Today's the day we celebrate!

September 20, 2009

That's the day I met and fell in love with 

Miss Pixie Marie.

She came to me as Pixie, and I added the Marie!

So, today, we are celebrating!

This is what we are doing to celebrate!

I couldn't find a single cupcake for Pixie!  So, she gets a piece of cake.

I'm surprised that this piece of cake lasted long enough for me to put it down on Pixie's dish.

Pixie found the cake and she's a little bit wild eyed!

It took less than 30 seconds for Pixie to clean her plate!

And it's GONE!

It's gone and she's happy!

Welcome home, again, to your Furever Home!!!