Hurray Christmas is over!! Now don't get me wrong, I love Christmas. I had a great time making memories with my family and friends. It is just I am ready to get back into a routine, stop cleaning my house and start eating normally again. The constant activity of the holidays make me long for boring days of taking the dogs out for play time without worrying about my to do list. The days when I can lose myself for hours brushing coats, teeth and tending to nails. OK I don't really get to do those things that often but its my green grass on the other side of the fence. A couple of days before Christmas I was called by a shelter and asked if I would take a Aussie pup in as a rescue. Of course when I saw his cute little black tri face on line I said "Of course it will be fun!". Well when the cute little pup hopped out of the truck at Petsmart he turned out to be a Border Collie pup. I asked the shelter person why she thought he was an Aussie, thinking maybe she knew some history on him. She said "Because Border Collies don't come in black tri. Jokes on her, BCs come in all the Aussies colors and more. I like Border Collies and I should be relieved since it lessens the chance I will fall head over logical heels in love with him. The down side is, as some pups do the little rascal expresses his glee any time you look at him by peeing. The kennel right now seems like it always stinks. It smells good for about 10 minutes after I clean it. I am confidant he will out grow this stage but in the meantime I try not to look him unless we are outside. He has been a wonderful playmate for the year old Icelandic pup that is currently here. The two of them are about the same size and activity level so a nice pairing for both. There seems to be much interest from people asking about adopting him. Hopefully he will find a forever home soon, immature bladder and all.

Life here at the kennels is busy. In the last two days 12 of my boarding dogs have gone home and in the next couple of days almost that many will come back in. A number of clients did Christmas away with family early this year and some clients are going to be away at Christmas. I ended up with two shifts of dogs. Which is working out well for me. More greyhounds are on the road today heading to new homes before the holidays. Unique is heading towards Billings. Her new family are so excited they sent out new arrival announcements. Pursuit is going to meet a new home in Butte they are eagerly waiting with open arms for their first greyhound. Little Flip Flop and Robin are going to meet an experinced greyhound home in Deer Lodge. One will stay and one will be just going along for the ride. Reports from SD about Rudy (was Tiny Tim) are all good...who knows maybe Rudy can help open SD to adoptions.

There is a certain amount of privacy you give up when you share your life with dogs. Little things like sharing your bed and couch are givens but even the sanctity of going to the bathroom alone is sacrificed. Sometimes I will be in my bathroom...umm...well "reading a book"....when the door will swing open and there will stand one of my dogs who comes over to say hello and then saunter out. They always seem so proud of themselves, like you had been playing Hide and Seek and they found you, winning the game. No matter how much you yell they are only interested in opening the door not closing the door behind them. The open door can lead to embarrassing moments if anyone else walks down the hall. When I actually latch the door I often hear "thud" as Dusk hits the door with his big bull head or "Tick" as Ivy pushes in her lady like way. Iris is distinguished by a loud sniffing noise to let me know she found me but she isn't going to push too hard on the door. She saves her efforts for the bedroom door which at times lays between her and her favorite bed. That door she can usually open. If it is latched she comes and finds her maid servant (me) to open it for her. As I get ready for Christmas and house guest that come with the holidays I have to keep reminding myself, "LATCH THE DOOR!"

We survived the sub zero weather and are thrilled to be reaching double digits again. The dogs are being able to come out of their owner induced hibernation and are happy to be able to run and play outside a little. Poor pups have been too confined but -20 is too cold to go out and play. On top of that I have a been a bit out of action due to a crummy cold. My interaction with the dogs were things like "please don't touch me, I hurt" and "hurry up I need to get back to bed". I'll make it up to them.

We have You Tube links so you can watch videos of the available dogs. Check them out at http://www.gparockymountain.org/Available.html

Nitro Tiny Tim is settling into his new home. He starts his new life with a new name, Rudy. His new owners at so attentive and want to do everything right. It is fun to once again get caught up in the excitement of a first time greyhound. When we got our very first greyhound years ago I remember sitting on the couch with my husband watching Noah a beautiful fawn greyhound boy. Noah was walking room to room investigating and I remember thinking he was a giant. He really wasn't that big, he moved with the grace of a greyhound and could curl up in the tiniest ball. It didn't take long to learn the biggest thing about Noah was his wonderful heart and the love he gave us. He has been gone many years now and still he colors my world. Dogs are that way...They show up, they take over and then they leave too soon.