Bittersweet......

I've been MIA the past couple of weeks......very busy. About 3 weeks ago my Dad decided to move into an independent senior home. He's been living in that house for 42 years....but in the last few days since he's moved he seems very happy. I know he hated living in that big house by himself....since my Mom died ten years ago he had the place to himself. We spent the last two weeks packing and getting ready to move and now I get to figure out how to get all the furniture and other things out of it and then sell it. I was happy he had no problem just walking away.....thought I was going to be ok too.....till yesterday. I realized I have spent every Christmas there for those 42 years as well as birthdays, thanksgivings and every other holiday and fun time imaginable. It was strange to think that all we will have now are the memories. I know change is good....this one for my Dad especially...we will all move on to a new phase in life.....
I wanted to post a pic I found just last week when I was cleaning out some drawers.....

This is a pic of my grandma, me , my son and my dad about 25 years ago. Those blinds and wallpaper are still there!!!
Here's to moving forward.......

Now I've Really Done It........

A couple of weeks ago I was walking to the grocery store when I heard a voice call out to me.....please come over and take a look , my adoption fee is half price today. I have a real thing for bulldog's and that's what it was. I decided five really isn't too many and decided to adopt. Here is a first picture of Joe with the kids.....

He fits in great with everyone else....actually Faith would like to love him to death!!! He eats very sparingly and really is no trouble at all.

He's just so cute!!!! He'll work out great here!!!
So I just want to know who said it could be 35 degrees here this morning.....it was 85 last week.....
Have a nice evening and we'll see you soon.....

Well......

     I was so excited a couple of weeks ago to start year number five with my blog......then a lot of things happened. My dad is nearing ninety and was having a lot of recurring health issues....took him to a million doc appointments in the last couple of weeks....cleared most things up, but he has also decided to go to senior living....such a relief to me....24 hour monitoring....I get a bit of a break.....don't have to worry every minute of the day.
     So you know I told Lizzy a couple of weeks ago that I would devote more time to her....so that's what I'm going to do. Pretty sure she will be very unhappy when she reads this....she truly hates her baths. Since she's been sick I haven't bathed her as much , but with the weather getting warmer (it was almost 90 in Houston today!!) , and the fact she can't handle most flea meds, the bath will be the thing.
    Denise and I took her to Earthwise.....very cool pet store...we will be doing some adoption events there. They have a combo shampoo/rinse system so you don't have to bring shampoo with you and you don't need to pause between the shampoo and rinse...a plus for my girl!!!
     Started out ok.....like this....

     Then it went to this......tried to get a video on this blog since 3 am this morning...after two or three hours I'd try again....never worked....I think my computer is dying.....
     No video...but suffice to say Lizzy was crying so much the whole store had to find out what horrible things we were doing to her. Poor girl.......just trying to keep you clean!!!!
Have a wonderful evening and keep your fingers crossed I don't have to get a new computer just yet....

Four Years Ago.......

On February 29th , 2012 I started my blog. It's been a lot of fun....had it's ups and downs. I was talking to myself the other day and lamenting the lack of stories from Husky Haven when Lizzy walked up to me......

Mom we have to talk.........

She reminded me that it's really her blog and that the rescue would be secondary........but that's not how it turned out. As I walk into year number five with my blog we will be changing a bit. My four beautiful kids will be the focus...they are my babies. Their lives will be what is primarily in my blog....Husky Haven will be there , but not at the top anymore. As Lizzy especially goes through her journey......I want to blog every minute. On to year five....I hope my girl is happy now!!!!
Thanks for reading....
Have a great evening....

Happy Birthday!!!

So today is my birthday.....not gonna say which one. Yesterday my girls, Barb and Becky, got me a beautiful gluten-free cake. Had some people over at the rescue so we had a little party....thank you girls and the rest of the volunteers!!!

The important birthday today is Miss Lizzy's. As in my last post I really wasn't expecting to reach this day with her. She is ten years old today!!! Of course I don't know if that's her real b-day , but she was born in February so close enough. Now my girl always gets some of the birthday goodies...here she is waiting patiently for her slice of cake......

Well kind of patiently.....she was pretty bummed when she knew I was going to take a video....

And a picture of the aftermath.....

She loved the cake and I am so glad we are both together this birthday....many more!!!
Happy Valentine's Day everyone!!!

20 Months Ago....

In July of 2014 My Lizzy Girl got very sick. Took her to the E-Vet and tried to determine the problem. She had a tumor in her gut....like five inches long. Took her to Texas A and. M two weeks later to have that tumor removed. Tumor was benign....but cultures told me she had pancreatic cancer. She had 3-6 months to live. 2014 scared me to death....figured she wouldn't make it to 2015. Was so happy last February 14.....both of our b-days that she made it to nine years old. I think she will make to ten on Sunday. Don't know how....maybe good thoughts from all of you.....but 20 months.....

My girl today.....

Texas Wolfdog Project

This last Saturday got to visit the Texas Wolfdog Project. I have been wanting to check it out, but my schedule is usually pretty crazy....so this was the first time I made time to make it happen. My friend Denise and I went....meeting with my friend Elsie to attend a presentation. I really just wanted to see what my friend, Austin, had put together. A couple of years back he bought the five acres that the TWP sits....he also lives there to take care of the wolfdogs personally.
When you drive in it's absolutely beautiful....so peaceful!!

As you can see the enclosures are huge and have usually 2 wolfdogs together.....they have a large covered area inside and lots of room to roam around. I actually did learn that there are high content and low content wolfdogs.....with the low content , of course, being closer to dogs. In fact many of the low content wolfdogs reminded me of Huskies or Mals.

These guys just wanted a ton of love!!!!

There were so many people on Saturday that they didn't want people just wandering.....I understand...and we really couldn't stay for a tour.....but I hope to go back soon and spend more time checking out the wolfdogs. If you are interested in more info go to Texas Wolfdog Project and check it out.
Have a great evening....
See you soon.....

Hi I'm Miss Baci.....

So Beth let me take over the blog just for tonight....I know she wanted you to hear what I had to say. I am Baci....a ten year old girl. I was left in Giddings Texas just running around. Actually don't know how I got there....I know I had a family at one point...but didn't know where they were. So some guys from Austin picked me up and I thought......I'm safe!!! They contacted Pat...I had a microchip from Husky Haven. But what they told her made me question....if I wasn't picked up within a couple of days they would move me to another place on the EU list. What is that...I knew it was bad.
I know I was there too....
Oh hi Kaila....you were also in Austin....how was it for you???
Same ....I was also on that list....old girls usually don't make it out.
Girls...Beth speaking....both of those girls would not have been alive without microchips and a determined group to get them back. I know old dogs don't get adopted but they are the best....please consider....
Hi Baci back....man that Beth....I want to thank Miss Elsie for picking me up to safety....
Hi Kaila...want to thank Lee Ann for helping me....
Do you think Beth will let us show some pics???
Go a head girls......

Miss Baci

Kaila

 Please consider older dogs ...they need love too

The Good and Bad so Far......

My goal this year was to write more.....here it is the 18th and my first post of 2016. In my defense,I had a very sick client's dog to take care of and was spending a lot of time there......much to my dogs unhappiness. I plan on doing a post on ailments in older dogs and what happened to this sweet girl...but that is for another time.

The bad started out the year.....on January 1st beautiful Albus had a series of seizures....he seemed to come out of it but was going to the doc on the 2nd. Sadly, when Ron his foster dad came to get him that morning he had died in his sleep. I know Ron was very upset, as were we all...Albus was a young boy...probably no older than four....we will never know what happened so fast...just hope he is running and playing on the Rainbow Bridge with all of the great dogs and cats that have passed before......all love to you Albus.....you will be missed.........  

Albus with his buddy, Ron

On the good side a few things since the beginning of the year.....
Miss Kaila got to have a few week in a foster home...we love it when people can foster. Gives the dog a break from the rescue with more attention!!!

Miss Kaila....

Our boy with the skin problem also got some good news. Malbec was taken to foster by our good friend Elsie....but she and her husband decide to adopt and he got his new home this weekend. We know Shiloh...yes, he already has a new name...will be well taken care of and his mange will eventually go away with the TLC he will be given!!!!

Shiloh and new mom Elsie!!!

I hope you are having a good new year.....Miss Lizzy is doing well....I am so glad to report!!!!
Have a wonderful evening......

Happy New Year's Eve.....

I want to wish all of you a great new year's eve and wonderful 2016!! It's been a good and bad year for me....the good Missy Lizzy had a death sentence for last December...but she is doing well...my house is crap....but I have more than so many people I'm fine. A few pics from our Christmas...

I didn't have my big tree up this year again....when your house is trashed it doesn't matter.
I want to thank all of the Husky Haven volunteers, donors, and fosters....all of you who have worked with us in 2015. I appreciate and love all of you....it couldn't work without you!!!
Before I close for the year I want to put up some pics of the babies that didn't make it through this year...............

Beautiful Mr Winston....he never had a home and died so suddenly....

Tamara... who had a home and was brought back in terminal condition.....
Champ...our directors kitty
Last but not least our beautiful Miss Kay....I will miss her the most....

I hope all of you are having fun at the Rainbow Bridge....
As we walk into 2016 I wish all of you the best....take care and see you in the new year....

A Story and Some Pictures......

The story first......a couple of weeks ago we got a really great application for Miss Liesel. The family had apparently been fostering a Husky that looked a lot like Liesel and were very excited to see her!!! We got her all ready for Christmas.....

Look at that beautiful face!!!

She looked so pretty and was on her best behavior. When the family walked in the door, I knew it wasn't going to happen. I have worked so many adoptions....and very few don't go through, but this
one wasn't. The mom and daughter were excited but dad just came along. He was totally disinterested and after a half hour said they would break for lunch. I was hoping they would at least have the courtesy to call and let us know they weren't coming back.....they did.....so beautiful Liesel is still looking for a home......Luckily she is so sweet and we will find her something after the Holidays!!!!
Had to add a couple of pics......

Yes...that is BLD giving us the evil eye Christmas night!!! Pat dressed him in the Santa suit and posed the Christmas Bear right by him....had to give him credit, he actually sat for about three good shots before he ran out of the room and pulled off the suit......but better than you would have gotten with any of my dogs!!!

My son took this selfie of TJ and himself before he left for Michigan......have no idea about the vicious look on TJ's face, he's the most docile dog I have.....but he sure looks mean there!!
I will be back before the New Year.....now that I can get on my computer I can write again....
Have a wonderful evening!!!!!

Happy Holidays!!!!

I hope all of you had a wonderful Christmas and are looking forward to a prosperous 2016!!!
I haven't been writing much because my office is a shambles. Last month I had water in my office from a leaky roof, as I was about to get that taken care of my hot water heater in the attic , blew it's spigot and dumped about 200 gallons of water in my house. All of the rooms except the kitchen had flooring and baseboards removed and drywall is out in my hall. My poor office is in worse shape now!!! I haven't gotten the floors fixed yet just couldn't handle it before the Holidays!!!! Next week I'll be working on that........
Other than that, myself and all the babies are doing well!!! I asked them to put on their Christmas stuff, but they all refused.

We had a very nice Holiday season so far...spent lots of time with friends and family. This was my son's first Christmas out of state.....a bit of an adjustment for me. But I realize that's the way it goes.
I have to finish with my favorite outside decoration....almost got into a wreck checking it out last week!!!!

I have never seen a pig before....I want one of those!!!!
I will be back before the new year.....
Happy Sunday....Go Texans!!!

Nineteen Years Ago......

Sounds like so long ....but I remember like it was yesterday. I wrote here about my auto accident that many years ago, but I never included pictures.
Right before Thanksgiving.....I was driving home from work.....like any other day. Stopped to get my son some dinner , was going to a local sports bar to watch a game with my boyfriend (even remember the game....Dallas vs Green Bay). Was about a mile from home.....caught in some construction. Cars waved me through, but not everyone was paying attention. My car was struck from the back and pushed sideways into a truck going about 70 in a 30 mile an hour zone. I lost that particular battle....in fact, I woke up covered with a sheet.....basically was declared dead at the scene. I scared the crap out of those paramedics.
On to a backboard and off to the hospital.....I will spare all the details of that trip except an incompetent doc almost killed me , but a competent tech saved my life. I was back in the ambulance going downtown......broken C1 through C4......a bit much for a local hospital.
When I got there it was the first time I felt safe. They took care of all my other wounds....of which there were many, stabilized me and gave me a shot of morphine for sleep and pain.
The next morning I was put in a halo......basically a metal halo screwed into your skull so it remains stable....attached to a vest you can't get out of via metal bars.......like this.....

You can't move your head , obviously. So range of motion is zero. I spent that week in the hospital and the next 6 months in the halo......basically stuck at home. You can only watch so many movies or read so many books. When they finally took it off that April.....I was seriously scared my head would fall over like a bobble head.....but no. I spent three months after that at home before they would let me come back to work.
This is the most profound thing that's ever happened to me in so many ways.  I was so lucky in the long run that I had no other major physical damage.....but it also made me rethink my life. I hadn't been happy at work and basically wasn't so happy with me. I was given a second chance, really. I changed how work was for me......got a great gig travelling all over the world.....and I also realized I needed to give back somehow. That's how I got to rescue......one of the most rewarding things I've ever done. I have helped, with friends and rescues, to save so many dogs over the years.....so glad nineteen years ago didn't have the grimmer ending......
There are so many things I didn't add.....I could really write a book.....but I'm very happy to help the furkids and live to write about it......