For the last 17 years I have taken my dogs to Shari Mackesey of Door Creek Grooming near Madison.  When I first met her, I had Tiger (Lhasa/Maltese cross) and Boo Boo (Lhasa Apso).  Tiger was still quite young and I had been taking them to a different groomer who had clipped them both with a Lhasa style cut.  When Shari met Tiger, she felt he needed his own identity and clipped him a little differently.   Not only was he adorable but now he was himself.  She was able to find his personality and … [Read more...]

Yesterday I had an encounter with an injured ruffed Grouse.  I was walking the dogs when he scurried from the side of the road further into the bush, obviously unable to walk properly or fly.  I noted where he was and continued my walk.  Leading four dogs at the time did not allow me to help him.   As I continued to walk I pondered whether I should try to help him after my walk with the dogs or let nature take its course.  It's always a difficult question for me.  The animals have helped me to … [Read more...]

Years ago Smokey and I rode in many parades.  The Madison Holiday parade was only our second parade but he handled the flag we carried and the 50' Garfield balloon in front of us with ease.  After several years of a variety of parades, Smokey did get bored with the whole thing and so we went into parade retirement.   Until now. On Halloween Becky and I joined a couple of friends to ride in an all horse Halloween Parade in Beaver Dam.  It's an annual event with proceeds going to a different … [Read more...]

Last night I was at a great dinner party and met a few new people.  When I meet new people I always want to ask them what their passion is.  It might be what they do for a living or it might not.  But passion is what makes people tick.  It is what sustains us, brings us joy and gives our life purpose and meaning.  Asking people what their passion is opens a doorway into their soul and of course people love talking about their passions. For me, loving animals is part of my passion...but it isn't … [Read more...]

Words and thoughts are powerful things.  They have an energy all their own and can create what shows up in our lives.  I know this to my core.  Over and over again I have seen this demonstrated in my life.  I shift my thoughts, my attitude and my life shifts.  Good things happen, life is good.  It affects our animals too...more on that in a bit. Being human I can forget this and recently did.  With the lightning taking out the computer and printer, then the website server crashing taking out my … [Read more...]