Molly and I continue to walk together, however, we are now in the heat here in Arizona. We are currently in a heat wave. My car is reading 113 sometimes.
I suggest that you walk very early.....six o'clock. Please take water for your pup as well. Molly usually drinks all that I bring for her.
I don't know about you but I have been getting mosquito bites as well. So please make sure you are giving your pup their monthly Heartworm. That is something you don't want your dog to get....ever. It is a horrible thing for a dog to die from.
Here in Arizona there are signs warning you about leaving your pet in a hot car. Honestly it can fry their brains in as little as 10 minutes. If you see a pet in a car do your best to get it out or it will die. But so far here I haven't seen any pets left in cars. Or children!
Another time you can walk your pet is at night......at least the sun isn't out. It still feels warm but it seems better somehow.
Happy Walking and Enjoy your Summer!
My Molly and I continue to walk together each morning. No matter how I feel I make myself go with her and she is always excited of course!
We have traded in evergreens and snow for cactus and palm trees. Colorado is such a beautiful state, but I am finding the desert is amazing too. Bushes and trees bloom all year and some even in the dark of night!
I don't know about you, but I enjoy the quiet company of a dog. They follow you everywhere and are constant company with love unending.
Molly turned 7 last month and her health is excellent right now. I attribute it to all of our walks together. Like us, if they keep moving they will do well with their joints and keeping their weight down is such a benefit.
Keep walking my friends, it is totally worth the trouble and over time I promise you will grow to love it and so will your pup!
We have much beauty here in the Valley of the Sun.....some would say the desert is ugly, but I see flowers all around that are blooming at different times. And you can't forget those palm trees! I am turning into a Palm tree kind of girl!
Anyway, January is the time for new beginnings and new starts. So I encourage you to get out with your pup and start to walk. You both will benefit for sure. Larger dogs need to keep those extra pounds off due to their hips and little dogs just need the exercise.
I noticed today in my neighborhood them spraying some type of pesticide in all the rock areas so I will make sure Molly doesn't get near any of that. Always look and check and if you aren't sure then really wash and wipe the pups paws when you return home.
HOPE everyone has a HAPPY NEW YEAR from our house to yours!
Molly and I have settled into a routine here in Arizona. Our schedule of course has changed since we left Colorado. There I could wait until late morning to walk her, however, now we walk as early as 6:30a.m. to catch the cool of the day.
We recently took a trip up to beautiful Sedona and I made sure I took Molly to the vet before we went. The vet suggested a flea and tick application due to the wildlife in the mountains. In Colorado we have this too, but I found I never had to worry about it and I never found a tick on my dog.
Make sure when you are traveling that you are familiar with the terrain and what comes with it. After all the monsoon rain we have had here (5 inches this last Monday!) we are now on the lookout for the Sonoran toad here. It grows to 7 inches long so it is quite large and evidently it lives in the ground. Anyway, it is deadly to a dog - just picking one up in the mouth is bad news and an immediate trip to the vet must happen. As we walk I am quite vigilant about looking for them and we do check the yard whenever Molly goes potty.
Being a dog lover and owner is such a blessing......but as an owner it is our responsibility to educate ourselves in order to keep our pets safe. Soon fall will come and we all can get out and enjoy many walks together - stay safe in your journey!
Enjoy the Journey!
Molly & Maxine
Hello and it has been a while since I have posted here. Molly and I are now in sunny Arizona. Yes, we sold our house in Colorado to move to a home we purchased 4 years ago here in Chandler, AZ.
We are now walking early in the morning around 7:00a.m. It is getting hot here early....it is that time of year. So Molly and I make our way on new paths and roads. We have a beautiful park next door to our home which has many paths that lead all through the neighborhood. I make sure to carry Molly's water bottle for her. I have discovered a route that has many shade trees too. I think Molly is adjusting nicely to the heat. We are home by about 7:45a.m. and then Molly lays on the cool tile floor to rest. I made sure before we left Colorado that she was all up to date with her shots and heartworm.
During the day at the height of our heat here, we stay inside. Don't EVER leave your dog in the car for any reason either. It only takes 10 minutes to lose them.....not worth it in my book!
So hope you are enjoying this time of year.....enjoy your pup too with the fun and easy way of living now.
Blessings and love,
Maxine & Molly
Well Spring has appeared here in Colorado......one morning last week I woke up to birds singing and sunshine with that beautiful blue clear Colorado sky.
Molly and I have continued on our walks together. I have found that no matter what, I have to take an extra jacket along just in case the wind picks up or the sun disappears. The weather is still unstable and you never know what to expect. When the sun is out and it feels warm I do see Molly needing her water....so remember to take along a water bottle for your pup.
On the paths here in Idyllwilde I have noticed deer more than once, the bunnies are all around, and today I saw my first snake sunning itself in the middle of the path. I was happy I saw it soon enough before I was right on top of it!
If you take the time to really look, you will notice that the trees are budding out and white blooms and pink are all around. All of this rebirth sure can put a spring in your step. Enjoy this beautiful time of year. One blessing of having a dog is that you are able to observe the change in seasons and walking not only keeps you healthy, but your dog will love you for it!
Blessings to you on this wonderful time of year from Molly and myself!
Maxine
Here in Colorado we have had much cold and snow.....which is a tough road to walk when you do plan to get out and walk almost every day with your pup.
I encourage you to be careful with their feet. Yesterday morning, Molly went out to go potty and the temp was -11. It really was the first time I have seen her pick up her paws as if to say: "man it is cold!" Please keep an eye on your pet and encourage them to make it quick when they go outside. When Molly returns to me and I wipe her feet inside, it is then that I realize how cold her feet feel to me....even after a few minutes!
If you see a pet being left outside in the cold, please report that neighbor, or go and speak with them....it really is abuse to leave a dog outside right now in all of this cold. I know of stories where the animal lost it's legs due to frostbite from neglect. It is sad when this happens and we really need to speak up for those who can't.
My hopes are that you are staying warm by a cozy fire with your dog by your feet or your cat on your lap. HAPPY FEBRUARY ALL!
Wow it sure has been a while since we have written here...the New Year is upon us and January here in Colorado has been mostly warm. I am surprised at how few days Molly and I have missed walking because of bad weather - I think only one this month!
I am on a quest to work off a few extra pounds put on during the holidays because of all the goodies. Who doesn't like chocolate? And we always seem to acquire so much during Christmas. By the New Year I am really sick of all of it for sure....and let's not forget that we have Valentine's Day coming in February!
What I would most like to talk about is to please don't let your pups stay out in this cold too much. I watch two small dogs in the afternoon when I visit them to let them out to go potty. They love to play in the snow, but even after a half hour, they are ready to come inside and the female usually holds up her paw as if to say: "my poor feet are cold."
If you see someone neglecting their pup, please report it. The nights here have been getting down into the 20's or below, so no matter how warm it is during the day, there seems to be a dramatic change at night.
During the winter, let us all keep our pets safe and warm....and let us watch out for those who cannot speak for themselves!
May you have a safe, happy, and healthy NEW YEAR!
Blessings,
Max and Molly
We are getting an artic blast here in Colorado and all I can think of is keeping my dog safe and warm in all of this weather. When it dips down in the minus degrees it really is dangerous to leave your pet outside.
I currently let a couple of dogs out in the afternoon....yesterday they thought they could play in the snow, but quickly found out that it was too cold. The female pup did hold up her paw in protest to the cold snow. So please remember to take care, and be on the watch even when you let your dog out to go potty!!
My Molly's feet feel extremely cold when I let her out just for a few minutes. In other words, right now, it is not fit for man or beast!! Keep your pet safe! A warm dog is a happy dog!
My Molly and I are still able to walk daily here in Colorado....we have had a couple of beautiful weeks of warm weather....sometimes in the 60's. I love it because by midday, the sun feels so warm and we can walk long and hard and not get too sweaty.
I currently have a couple of clients that I see every day too and we walk as well. I wonder sometimes why I am very tired at night, and then I realize that I have been on 3 walks in a day! All of this is good however, for me and the pups too. We are all keeping in shape and definitely sleeping well!
Remember to walk your pet whenever you can. If you can't, then get someone who can. They need the daily exercise. It helps to keep their weight down. They will be happier and healthier too. But you both will benefit the most just being together and seeing the wonderful outdoors. And your pup will love you for it!
Over the summer and now into the Fall, Molly and I have done many walks together. The wonderful thing about walking is all that you see, smell and feel as you walk along, not to mention how good it all is for your health.
I will admit that my clothes are a little looser on me now....so glad for that! Molly is keeping healthy as well and she looks forward to our walks daily. We have walked in rain, sunshine, and now snow.
We have seen all sorts of creatures too....all types of birds, snakes, and lots of deer. When we come upon another dog, Molly is excited to meet....but I always hold her leash tightly not knowing what to expect. I always ask if the other person's dog is friendly. Sometimes people don't want their dog to interact with yours so keep that in mind.
In Parker we have a leash law and it is for your dog's safety to keep him or her on the leash. One day while walking, I had Molly heeling next to me. We started to walk across the street as a car had stopped in the crosswalk to let us go. The car behind the first car decided to speed around and drive through the crosswalk anyway. I am certain that if I didn't have Molly right next to me, that this car would have hit her! So I cannot stress enough the importance of a leash.
Molly and I will continue walking now through the winter. With that comes coats, sweaters, gloves, hats and boots. Winter is more difficult to deal with because it takes more work to just get out the door. I love the freedom of summer to just throw on a pair of walking shoes and go! But in the end, that won't stop me. Molly always comes to me with her sweet face and that look that says: "can we go walk now"?
Fall will be here before we know it....there are subtle changes happening in my neighborhood. It is darker in the a.m., the air is cooler and yesterday I noticed some trees starting to change. Most people will tell you that Fall is their favorite time of year, but it always makes me kinda sad realizing that winter is not far behind. I am definitely a fair weather girl and I love summer and the heat!
I am currently watching some pups for a friend who lives near me.... the best part is that I can drive to her house or walk. The walk takes me about a half hour to get from my door to hers!
The other day I was walking along a path that connects my neighborhood to hers. There is a wide open space with pasture next to this path, and I noticed that someone had put up a gate that I could walk though, but with a sign that said: CATTLE CROSSING, MAKE SURE TO CLOSE GATE! This was new to me so I took note of it.
On my way back I had to go through the gate again, and just as I arrived the owner of that pasture was walking with a whole herd of cows following behind him. They were right at my level and were looking at me and mooing - they were so beautiful with their big brown eyes! So this gentlemen and I exchanged words about the weather and how he was taking care of his cows and moving them to higher ground since we had experienced so much rain! He was a happy man and it was so interesting to see his cows following him! This encounter made my day for sure. My only regret is that I didn't have my sweet Molly with me....I would have loved to see her reaction!
Enjoy every day as it comes.....Fall will be here soon, and before we know it, the snow will be flying!
Molly and I have had quite a summer together.... we have walked nearly every day except for when I have been gone on a weekend, then my husband has walked with Molly too. She has had friends to come and play and walk with her and she loves it. That is Molly above with her two friends: Daisy and Stoli.
On our many walks we always manage to see something that makes me feel blessed by having a pet to take care of and love. I would not see all that I have seen this summer if Molly did not need that daily walk.
Today as we were walking we came upon a house with a dog running free in the backyard. At first I thought he was loose, but I soon realized that he had an invisible fence. You could see it on his collar. Anyway, he was running at full speed around his house over and over again! This house was a huge ranch so it took him a bit to make it all the way around. He looked so free and happy with tail wagging and tongue hanging out!
Molly and I stopped to watch for a while.....it made me wonder if all those doggies in Heaven just run and run with the freedom of being so loved by our Heavenly Father! I am one of those who believes that ALL dogs go to Heaven and so I take comfort that my Charlie is up there running free right now.
When we put Charlie down over a year ago, I watched and felt his spirit go out of his sweet body.....and I know that spirit went somewhere. He was gone to a better place.....an animal with so much love to give like a dog, cannot be ignored by GOD. GOD spelled backwards is DOG so I have to wonder about this creature. They are special. They are full of love for us and a joy to own. So, give your pup some extra special love today, and may all those dogs in Heaven run free forever!
It is amazing to me how much of a dog's life is spent "waiting." They wait to be fed, to go potty outside, and for us to come home from a long day at work. We as humans are not good at waiting.... we are impatient in most circumstances! As I type this, my Molly is waiting for me to take her on our daily walk together.
But a dog will take vigil and wait all day long for his master to come home. I have witnessed this behavior in more than one dog I have had in my care. It makes me sad to watch them, because they have no idea how long they could be waiting for that door to open!
Loyalty and unconditional love is truly a dog's character..... it is in his or hers makeup. It is the way GOD made them.
Just remember to never take your dog's loyalty for granted.... you may be out and about and living a busy life all day, but your sweet pup has been waiting for you.... patiently.... unconditionally. So give your dog some extra special love today..... he or she has been waiting for it from you. Let us give that love freely, just as they freely love us.
Here is a picture of my Molly with her two best buddies: Stoli and Daisy. In a way they are very dear to her since she spent time with them at their home after their Mom rescued Molly from the Dumb Friends League. I won't go into all the details, but I can tell you what a loving person with a good heart can do for these creatures. I thank GOD for their Mom, Katie, each and every day, because without her, we would not have Molly.
It is funny how life works and how this all started with a friend of a friend letting someone know that a dog needed a good home. We had just lost our Charlie four months earlier....and Molly came into our lives to fill that hole that Charlie left. She is very loving to us and loyal too. I never go anywhere in the house without her right at my heels!
Since I had Charlie featured on Rainbow Bridge on Facebook, I check there often, and read over and over the grief of someone losing their beloved pet. But I recommend this site.... shared grief helps. And those of us who have felt the sting can help those going through it. Here is how Charlie was shown:
It still brings tears to my eyes when I look at it. But that is what a loving pet does. They come into your life to give you that unconditional love. I am now able to say that when you lose a loving dog, don't close up your heart..... open it again wide for another bundle of love. Adopt from a shelter.....too many of our loving canines have been abandoned there alone. My Molly is proof of what a loving heart can do for a dog.... thank you sweet Katie.... the Gonzalez family is forever grateful!
P.S. If you have a pup, give them a HUG today!
I am having such a great time dog sitting this summer! GOD has blessed me with so many little bundles of fur. There is much love to go around and I am happy that my heart is full.
After the loss of Charlie I didn't think I could love another dog so soon. But our Molly found us through a friend of a friend. She licked my face and gave me her paw and did the same for my husband, and we took her home!
After being around so many dogs, I have come to realize that all you must do is LOVE them. They seem to know you are caring for them and their response is unconditional in return.
I have a challenge coming up. I will be dog sitting/house sitting for a lady who has 2 labs and one of them is blind. You can tell this dog's sense of smell and hearing is excellent. It does break my heart, but he was rescued and was saved from being put down, just because he was blind! What a wonderful thing this family has done for him!
It is wonderful to know there are so many caring people in this world for GOD'S creatures! And I thank you all here. May your hearts be full of their unconditional love! It takes a special heart to love these creatures given to us in our lives. May we always be honorable in our care for them!
It has been such a blessing this summer to be around so many pups for days at a time. Maybe some do a pet sitting job just for the sake of the job. For me, I am learning that GOD can open my heart big enough to let all the love in from each sweet pup I take care of.
My heart still grieves for the loss of my sweet Charlie who we had for 11 years. I can think of him and instantly the tears come....
I certainly won't forget all the fun and love I received from a Freedom service dog named Cinder. She was one of a kind and will someday be a Therapy Dog for Camp Bow Wow.
And I won't forget seeing Gander graduate with Lonnie, his new owner on stage at Freedom. He was nominated for Service Dog of the year and came in second place. He is becoming very well known, has his own Facebook page and is on Instagram as well. It was a joy to meet him and now follow all that he does for Lonnie and as a therapy dog too!
Over a year ago I retired from teaching Figure Skating.... and now I have a new passion. Dogs and cats too, are such a gift for us of unconditional love. If you are one of the lucky ones to own a ball of love, may you never take it for granted!
And on my free days, my Molly and I go for long walks together.... she never leaves my side and we are so blessed by this dog who we rescued... but I really believe she found us!
In the early morning I reach for my coffee and devotionals and sit quietly in my office. Molly loves to run upstairs before me, and she always brings her toy along with her. I know she is planning on playing with me. We bought her a Kong which seems to last a long time with all the pulling and biting on it. Kongs are great for dogs and well worth the money!
This particular morning she was looking at me and I was able to catch this cute picture shown above. When I call her sometimes, she lifts her head and listens to her name being called.
We are enjoying our daily walks together and on the last few we have had a lone deer run right out in front of us. Both times we were surprised by this and I did grab hold tightly of Molly's harness since I could see she would love to be able to run after the deer.
I have learned from volunteering at Freedom Service Dogs, that the harness is best for dogs. A leash on a collar can do damage to their necks and a harness is very secure. We purchased a Kong harness for Molly..... it has an extra handle on the top of it which I love to use.
Kong products are wonderful and you can buy them at any local pet store. Make sure to take your pup out for a walk this weekend. You both will benefit!
I don't know about you, but I love sunflowers. It is the time of year where they are blooming all around the paths that I walk on with Molly in Idyllwilde. She of course doesn't see them as I do, but they are a welcome sight. Did you ever notice that a sunflower is ALWAYS turned towards the sun?
I love their color and their stalks are tall and sway with the wind.... they seem so happy and full of joy too! I love when I see a bunch together, all looking at me as if to say: have a day filled with joy!
There are many wildflowers blooming as well, and if you walk early enough you will see the deer. The other morning we saw a baby and it's mama. The baby ran off, but the mama keep her focus on Molly and I. I am positive she wanted to make sure we didn't come too close and that her baby was protected!.
Even though we are bound to get hot days here, I love the cool of the early morning and so does Molly. We seem to walk faster and cover more ground together. Enjoy this time of year.... it will be gone before we realize .... it is truly a blessing for us all!
Not too long ago, I had the wonderful privilege of fostering sweet CINDER. I was asked to take care of her for Freedom Service dogs and her foster dad who was out of the country at the time.
She was with us one week, and then another four....long enough to get attached to her. I cannot tell you how she took hold of my heart. I also had her for one week when she was a small puppy....she was extremely cute!
She presently is in the Canine Prison training system to be a therapy dog for someone. I don't know why, but I think about her every day. I wonder what she is learning and how that trainer will learn to love her just as I have.
There just was something special about her.... her look and her nature. She had a gentleness about her.... a kindness.
Everyone who met her thought she was special....I don't know why I was so lucky to have her, but I just know that there will forever be a hole in my heart where she was, and I will never forget her time spent with us!
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