New photos of Gabby & Carlee.........

Hi Mary,
I thought I would send a couple pictures of Carlee and Gabby playing. The game is always "I'll take yours, no, never mind, I'll keep mine..... On second thought, ....." Basically, the green alligator is wonderful for Gabby until Carlee has the maroon snail, and vise versa. One of these pictures is Carlee chasing Gabby to get the snail. And they expect me to intervene! They sure do have a good time together, and Gabby keeps Carlee on the go. You should see them chase a squirrel together! Carlee goes at a dead run (scares me to death), but doesn't quite try to climb the tree like Gabby does. I knew they were good friends when Carlee let Gabby put her front legs around Carlee's neck and hug her - kind of an interesting thing for Gabby to do, but I think she saw that's really the only way she can physically connect with Carlee in her wheels. Aren't cockers something? And when I come home at the end of the day, Carlee heads right for Gabby when I let them out of their ex-pens, then the hugging, friendly growling begins. With all of Carlee's challenges, life with these two couldn't be better. Carlee's issues (including her newest one - loss of bladder control) - they're just things. You find ways of making your life the easiest it can be and hers the happiest (and cleanest!) it can be.

Just an update - thanks to everyone who cares and thinks about Carlee - and Gabby!
Anne

Thanks, Anne. What a joy it is to see these two running and playing together and to hear how much they love each other. We are truly blessed to be allowed to witness it. Thanks for sharing. Mary

Blast from the past.......

This was a bitter sweet weekend for my family back home in Indiana. Mom's house has sold and the keys turned over to the new family. My father built the house in 1920, the year Mom was born. There has been the sounds of children's laughter ringing off the walls for all those years. Of course Mom experienced a lot of pain and joy at the same time knowing her little home would be so loved again, but not by us. If walls could talk........

This photo was taken the summer of 1991. The liver Springer Spaniel is our first dog, Dudley. He was my introduction to Spaniels and the love was switched to a smaller Spaniel, which was Philip's lifetime love.....the American Cocker Spaniel. Just thought you'd like to share in a precious memory.

We had company.......

Philip's sister Beezie came for a week's visit and brought along her grandson, Rio. He had such a great time here playing with the mob. But the best part of his vacation was meeting the Firedogs and getting to wear the Chief's Fire Helmet! He got to hear the siren, see the lights and the air horn blast. I'm wondering if the neighbors thought someone was raiding our place! Thanks Kevin and Marsha for making his day!

A message from Ranger

I'm taking my new job as family protecter very seriously. This is the

face I use when strangers or anything threatens my family!

Are you scared? Gma Mary says I look just like my Pop, Weylin.

Playing with a new toy.....

.....and another one.....

My big sister Cassie...

My little bro, Brady....

...my big bro, Mac.....

I have had such a busy life here at my new home. My big, BIG sister Cassie towers over me, which is good cause I like hanging on her ears. She hates that though. And she has a nice furry tail that I go after too. I think I even got some fur off of her. Ouch. But we are getting along better. I think she kinda likes me now.My brothers Mac and Brady just love me and love playing with me. I get to chase Brady all over the house. That is so much fun. They call me Ranger Danger. I don't understand the danger part. I'm not dangerous. I am a puppy!My mommy and daddy love me lots too. I'm doing well on my potty training. I've been peeing on the pads and outside but I still leave tootsie rolls on the floor. OOops. They don't like that. Plus, as soon as I came home, I started acting like a boy dog...yep. Mommy says her leg has seen more action than...she said I am too young to be doing that this early. What has gotten into me? Mommy is sending pix of me to Gma Mary so you all can see how much fun I am having. Tata for now. Woof!Ranger

More on the dog food debate........

http://www.acreaturecomfort.com/truthaboutpetfood.htm

Click on the above link to see the latest information being sent to breeders on this important subject. When we read the lables, we find that the foods that cost $1 or more a pound have the best ingredients. Also, the smaller companies are more open and honest with their reporting and are eager to talk to you about their food on the phone. Take the time to research and talk. All of the big companies have a cheaper line.

Lacey Rose is ready.....

.....and waiting for news of her new sister. She is patiently awaiting Sunny and Weylin's September litter. Wonder if they have decided on a name for this coming angel.

Addy's waiting for her nite nite treat.......

Addy waiting patiently for her night-night treat. Still not big enough to jump up herself! But that doesn't stop her from trying. Daddy Brock

Brinkley and his Dad, Shooter.......

This is my pop Shooter when he was seven weeks old. He's sitting on the

stump chair at SBG waiting for his family to find him.
Now this is me, standing on that same stump at almost two years old. We look alike,
act alike and I'm so proud to be called his son.
Brinkley (Firedog supreme)

The Firedogs new blog........

http://thefiredogs.blogspot.com/

Please take a look and give a comment......we're so proud of them!

Self CPR.......

What are you to do if you have a heart attack
While you are alone.
If you've already received this,
It means people care about you.
The Johnson City Medical Center staff actually
Discovered this and did an in-depth study
On it in our ICU.
The two individuals that discovered this then did
An article on it, had it published and have had it incorporated into ACLS and CPR classes.
It is very true and has and does work.
It is called cough CPR.
A cardiologist says it's the truth
If everyone who gets this sends it to 10 people,
You can bet that we'll save at least one life.
It could save your life!
Let's say it's 6:15 p.m. And you're driving home
(alone of course), after an usually hard day on the job.
You're really tired, upset and frustrated.
Suddenly you start experiencing severe pain
In your chest that starts to radiate out
Into your arm and up into your jaw.
You are only about five miles from the hospital
Nearest your home.
Unfortunately you don't know if you'll be
Able to make it that far.
What can you do?
You've been trained in CPR
But the guy that taught the course didn't tell
You what to do if it happened to yourself.
Since many people are alone when they suffer a heart attack, this article seemed to be in order.
Without help, the person whose heart is beating improperly and who begins to feel faint,
Has only about 10 seconds left before losing consciousness.
However, these victims can help themselves by coughing repeatedly and very vigorously.
A deep breath should be taken before each
Cough, and the cough must be deep
And prolonged, as when producing sputum
From deep inside the chest.
A breath and a cough must be repeated
About every two seconds without let up
Until help arrives, or until the heart is felt to be beating normally again.
Deep breaths get oxygen into the lungs and coughing movements squeeze the heart and
Keep the blood circulating.
The squeezing pressure on the heart also helps it regain normal rhythm. In this way, heart attack victims can get to a hospital.
Tell as many other people as possible about this, it could save their lives!
From Health Cares, Rochester General Hospital via Chapter 240s newsletter
'AND THE BEAT GOES ON '
(reprint from The Mended Hearts, Inc. Publication, Heart Response)
BE A FRIEND AND PLEASE SEND
THIS ARTICLE
TO AS MANY FRIENDS AS POSSIBLE

Abby graduated from the first level of Obedience school.

Tonight was my graduation night. But we were tested first, we had to walk through the aisles with stops doing our sit and stay, and then lay and stay for at least 30 seconds. Once we were in the back of the store, I had to do a sit and stay with distractions...that was a little difficult for me, but I got it the second time through. I really think the full moon has something to do with that.

September 6th is the start of my intermediate classes...I have a week off to run and play.

Abby Dabby Doooooo

Congrats Abby!!! We're very proud of you. We don't think it was the full moon that got in your way. It was Sunday's play date and the fact that we (bad grandparents) allowed you to run and play without reminding you of your commands. We set you into "free range puppy" mode! Sure am glad you were able to pull it all together again and win the prize!

Abby & Samantha return home......

http://abbyspotlight.blogspot.com/ Here's the link to Abby's blog so you can see the photos Angie took of their play. I have more photos waiting to be edited and added here, but am having my usual troubles with the internet connection. Am trying to post five now and will do some more as soon as I can. What a wonderful day we had watching the girls and a few of the adults run free in the woods and gardens. Violet was so exhaused with her romp, she was naping while we walked and was refreshed and ready to challenge everyone yet again to Queen of the Deck!

Hi from Kasey

Mary and Phillip, Kasey had a haircut and bath Thusday at Lots of Love. He was a good boy as always. Mom had given him 3 baths since June. Kasey was tutered on July 26 at Cornell and spent the night there. Had to wear a lampshade for 9 days but did well and healed fast. He is back to normal playing with his toys and keeping dad company, he is such a good loving boy and we are so happy to have him. I am sure you have been busy with Pansy's kids going to their new forever homes. Kasey is up to 21.5 pounds and still talks to us when we make his egg and cottage cheese in the morning. Hope all is well. Glenn Wendy and Kasey

(Kasey is from Daisy/Weylin's Jan litter and was know as Reef.)

"The corn is as high as an elephant's eye.....

.........can't you just taste it's buttered sweetness. We're hoping to harvest it before the deer find it. We are not having good luck with our tomatoes. First the blight hit them for a second year in a row. Second, Basil watches them and just as they turn red, he eats them! So we're picking them in the pink and letting them ripen in the house. Cockers love tomatoes and eat them like candy. We do have two huge patio bushes planted and flip the ripe ones over the fence in waiting mouths. Of course they're not spoiled!

Ranger on his way home.......exhausted!

After the Cocorans left here, they went to a friends camp for the night and continued back to Ohio the next day. As you can see by this photo, Ranger is enjoying time to catch up on his sleep and energy level. Playing with his new family is hard work for a little guy and he wants to be prepared. Judy says all is well and they certainly love him. More photos to come.

This is a must read.....SBG no longer will use Purina Products.

Dr. Karen Becker's Direct Words about Purina Weight Loss Program
Written By: Susan Thixton8-18-2010Categorized in: Pet Food NewsIt is rare when Veterinarians speak out publically (or privately) about one of Big Pet Food. When it happens, it must be noticed and shared.

Project: Pet Slim Down is what got this particular veterinarian in an uproar. Dr. Karen Becker says "Project: Pet Slim Down looks a lot like a marketing campaign masquerading as a pet health care initiative." The Project: Pet Slim Down website (yes, they have developed an entire website for this campaign) looks similar to human weight loss sites, complete with online tracking of your pets weight and inspirational videos. http://www.projectpetslimdown.com/Home

While overweight pets are a true and valid concern, the question remains is Project: Pet Slim Down a valuable tool for pet owners or is it a slick marketing campaign for Purina's new line of Veterinarian (Rx) Diets?

At the bottom of the home page of the Project: Pet Slim Down website (and perhaps at the bottom of the entire project) is a small logo for Purina Veterinary Diets, including weight loss foods.

The Purina OM Canine formula (Overweight Management) lists the following ingredients: "Whole grain corn, corn gluten meal, soybean hulls*, soybean germ meal, soybean meal, pea fiber, wheat gluten, poultry by-product meal, animal digest, powdered cellulose, tricalcium phosphate, animal fat preserved with mixed-tocopherols (form of Vitamin E), salt, choline chloride, zinc sulfate, ferrous sulfate, Vitamin E supplement, manganese sulfate, niacin, Vitamin A supplement, calcium carbonate, copper sulfate, brewers dried yeast, calcium pantothenate, garlic oil, pyridoxine hydrochloride, Vitamin B-12 supplement, thiamine mononitrate, Vitamin D-3 supplement, riboflavin supplement, calcium iodate, menadione sodium bisulfite complex (source of Vitamin K activity), folic acid, biotin, sodium selenite." http://www.purinaveterinarydiets.com/CanineProductDetail.aspx?prod=227

By definition (of ingredient) there is no meat in this dog food; according to AAFCO (American Association of Feed Control Officials), Poultry by-product meal is not meat. Worse yet, the only animal protein sources in the food are listed 8th and 9th on the ingredient list (Poultry by-product meal and Animal Digest); Animal digest is one of 'those' ingredients determined by FDA testing to be likely to contain the lethal drug pentobarbital and thus likely to contain a euthanized animal. This soon to be Veterinarian recommended weight loss dog food contains no chelated or proteinated minerals (for better absorption) or probiotics (for a healthier immune system). But it does contain a wealth of grains.

Dr. Karen Becker looked at the ingredients of the Purina Veterinary Diets and said:
"1. The ingredients are of very poor quality and include impossible to pronounce additives and preservatives, not to mention known allergens, and the every-popular 'meat byproducts.' And don't forget the locust bean gum.
2. These diets are about as far from canine or feline species-appropriate nutrition as it gets." http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2010/08/17/is-the-fox-guarding-the-henhouse-purina-launches-project-pet-slim-down-for-pets.aspx

Thank you Dr. Becker!

We need more vets to publically stand up to any and all inferior ingredient pet foods. A few have the integrity and courage to do so; here's hoping this will become trend instead of a rarity.




Wishing you and your pet(s) the best,

Susan Thixton
Truth about Pet Food
Petsumer Report
www.TruthaboutPetFood.com

Ranger says farewell.......

Ranger's family: Judy & Joe Cocoran and their boys Mac and Brady, came today for our boy Ranger. They stayed and played with everyone and Violet, took a long walk through the gardens and left very proud and happy. Ranger seemed to love this lovely family, so that made it easier for us to let him go. Once again we have had outstanding families provide a loving home for our babies. I've said it before and I'll say it again, cocker people are the best. We have promises of photos and stories from Ranger and will post them as soon as they arrive. Now Violet is being spoiled rotten and loving it!

Firedogs sent a few more photos......

Ranger has a blue collar and Violet's is purple.

Rusty and Molly checking in.......

Molly

Rusty

Looks like these kids are enjoying their toys and chewies. Since they are now over two years old, their Mommy thinks they need a sister or brother. Daddy is not on board yet....but we've heard this before. Thanks for sharing. Keep those photos coming.

Firedogs visit Violet & Ranger for a play date.....

What a fun day. The Firedogs came bringing Philip and I tee's from the fire house..yippie.....AND they brought me a beautiful Orchid. I've always wanted one but was afraid I wouldn't know how to keep it. So now's my chance to learn. We walked in the gardens and watched the kids having a ball smelling all the wonderful woodsy hunting smells. Allie, a niece of Marsha and Kevin came along, too. They spent hours playing with Violet and Ranger, who never ran out of energy. When it was time to go, Matty and Brinkley ran into the Quilt room and watched out the door. They wanted to stay! It was the first time I saw Kevin unable to call the boys to him. He ended up having to carry each one to the truck. They were on their way to a week's camping vacation and the boys were to come along. Heck, we would have kept them here and loved every minute of it. It was a great way for Ranger to practice playing with a 9 year old. After all, his family is due to come tomorrow.....and they have two young boys! PS.....both Marsha and Kevin commented about Violet & Ranger..."The photos just don't do them justice. They are so beautiful and colorful." Guess I know another family who's name will appear on Violet's wait list.