It has been a busy couple of weeks. Reagan and Bach made the trip to their new homes near Bozeman and are settling in. My little Sandy is settling in like she has always been here. She is a sweet heart. Last year when Tigger died Judy gave me a bleeding heart plant. The morning after Sandy came home it had its first blooms on it. Another one of those connections that seem to happen. It wasn't until just now that I realized how close Sandy's homecoming was to the 1 year mark of Tigger's death. Only a couple of days short of a year. To me it is interesting all the ties to Tigger that have turned up in adopting Sandy. It is strangely comforting and beautiful. I am more and more convinced that there are cobwebs connecting us...even to those who have left this life. Small invisible threads that are surprisingly strong and binding.

Sherri G from Kalispell emailed of the passing of her greyhound boy Pico. A handsome long legged brindle bread thief. He is missed greatly already. His greyhound brother "Q" is especially lonely.

There was another greyhound who recently died. It needs mentioning just to make sure we all can learn from the lesson. Popsicle (Pappy) was placed with a family near Bozeman. Last week he slipped his collar while on a walk and took off. A couple of days later he was killed when he was hit by a car. We are all heart sick by his death...no one more devastated than his owners. The placement person was not notified until after his death. PLEASE keep in mind that should your greyhound take off for any reason CALL YOUR PLACEMENT REP FOR HELP!!! I am not saying it would have changed anything in this case but the more people that can go on a search the better. Greyhounds placed through GPA have a hot line number on their tag...more recent adoptions with Run for Adoption have phone numbers for Tripp's and myself, Joni. Of course if they slip the collar the tags won't help the finder BUT while you are standing there with that empty collar call those numbers and get help in your search. We would drop everything to help a greyhound we have placed. When Kiki escaped many Missoula greyhound owners hit the streets looking for her. Posting fliers, talking to people and walking their greyhounds in the area looking for leads. While we are talking about tags be sure yours are legible and current.

Yesterday I traveled to intercept Adrienne who was bringing my Sandy to Montana. We met up in Bozeman. When I was almost there I called Dana and she met me in Belgrade so she could go with me. Within 5 minutes of us arriving at the meeting spot Adrienne was there. Dana was amazed that I could travel from Victor and Adrienne from Idaho Falls and with no real set time we both arrived there almost at the same time. Sandy was tired but ate a decent dinner. Today is enjoying laying around in the sun with her new greyhound sisters. She also likes to wade in the creek that runs through the paddock. I will try to get some pictures of her int eh next day or so. Her yip of a bark reminds me so much of me now passed Tigger...the similarities don't stop there. I am looking forward to getting to know Sandy and hope she will have Tigger's 15+ years.
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Carol and Dan will be transporting Reagan and Bach tomorrow. They got this sweet picture from Bach's new family. We just had to share it with all of you.

Today I loaded up Chevy and headed over to Tripps. Candy from Helena had come over and excepted to be taking Nutmeg home. But she also wanted to meet Chevron and of course it was good to see Candy again. After spending time with the dogs it was Stranger that quietly stole Candy's heart. Nutmeg would no doubt be easier. Nutty is really adorable and super friendly. She will meld into most any home. Stranger on the other hand is aloof and can be timid. Candy took both on a walk by them selves. After the walk I noticed Stranger had a different look about her. She was shadowing Candy and softly bumping her hand. I said to Candy...."Stranger seems to know she is with you now." Candy shyly said "Well I asked her if she would like to come home with me and she told me she thought that would be good." I smiled because I know that type of communication isn't just Disney...it happens and it can be very powerful. Chevron also went to Helena for fostering. Candy has a notion that he will be a fit for one of our homes who lost a dog in the recent months. If he isn't a match he will come back this way the first part of next week.

I got a note from Trish yesterday. She said she had put her to do list away and spent time with her dogs instead. I embraced the idea and did the same on Friday. Since the pressure was off and I didn't need to rush about getting off to the show, I relaxed. I watched a whole movie snuggled under a blanket with Katy the whippet. I read, I brushed a dog or two and I napped. It was great!! I encourage all of you to do a day without a to-do list....a list-less day can be a gift to yourself.

This has been one of the weirdest weeks. It started off Tuesday when I went with a friend to watch her horse with the trainer. I love to watch other animal trainers and listen to them. I always pick up some new idea that I can mull over. Pam and I had a great time watching her mare get her first ride. In fact I would describe it as thrilling. When I got home Darrin came right out to greet me. I could tell by the look on his face he wasn't happy what I didn't know at that point was I was the reason. Somehow he missed the message that I was going to be off horsing around. When he came home and couldn't find me he panicked. He looked everywhere just sure that any moment he would find me laying broken or dead somewhere. He saw everything in the house as a sign that I was probably abducted. I assured him that the mess in the guest room was not the signs of a struggle and that it ALWAYS looks like that...OK my secret is out. I also pointed out that had anyone abducted me chances are he would have found me sitting by the mailbox. It only would have taken the bad guys a few hundred feet to realize their grave error and dump me. By the time I got home a mere 30 minutes later...let me repeat 30 minutes, he had called no less than a half a dozen people and raised the alarm. He called everyone except Pam of course. He had to call them all back and tell the anti climatic news that I was alive and fine. He caught Judy and Carol as they were getting in their cars to launch a full scale search. A few minutes later Lynn was pounding at my back door wearing her worried mama face. The guilt thinly disguised as relief was thick in the air. Pam and I were slinking pretty low by then. Darrin still wild eyed and mad. Pam, the deserter, was looking to bolt for the door. I was rolling my eyes and shaking my head. My mom was the queen of worry...ironically I married the prince of worry. All his bug eyed looks and the wobbly with worry voice have little effect on me...I gained immunity early...it just annoys me.

Today in what can only be described as some kind of cosmic payback for my unrepentant ways. The whole day was tweaked...I had a window installed between my dog rooms. Despite my clear instructions it was installed too high....I mean really I drew the freaking thing on the wall how did he screw it up. When I checked my mail I still had received no show info for the dog show this weekend I have been gearing up for. After a bunch of calls and several emails I discover much to my dismay that my entry was lost and I am NOT entered...its closed no late entries of any kind. On top of that my travel companion is in bed sick. Looks like I will be staying home....dang it. The dogs are bathed, the van is packed and all for nothing...sigh. I could go and watch my students show...but may as well save my $$ for another time. Later in the same fun day I called to make sure everything is arranged for Sandy to make the trip back from Knabb, UT with Adrienne. Sandy is in Utah now which made me happy BUT Heather did not get the collar I sent for Sandy...dang it...good thing I already bought her a back up collar and tag. So now I am ready to put this day to bed. Hopefully all justice is served and things will be back to normal in the morning. Brings to mind Puck's final words in Mid Summers Night Dream "If we shadows have offended, think but this and all is mended, that you have but slumber'd here, while these visions did appear. And this weak and idle theme, no more yielding than a dream."

Good night

Things have been hopping at the foster kennels. Beverly is home and is getting raves from her new mom who thinks she got the best dog we ever placed. Greta is home and apparently they think they got the best dog we ever placed. Lou came down to the weenie roast on the week end and fell in love with Nike but she was spoken for...or so we thought. Monday her adoption fell through and Lou is welcoming her home this week end. Mr. Waldo will accompany Nike north as he has a greyhound savvy home waiting and a handsome staffordshire terrier brother. Also falling in love at the picnic was the Jennings family who will welcome home November Rain this week end. Our little Sasha has been spoken for and every time we talk to her new owner he moved the day he wants to pick her up. Last I heard he is on his way over to Missoula right now and will meet Sasha in the morning. Plans are firming up for Sandy to head to Montana the week end of the 17th...and last but not least Reagan is spoken for. Whew!!! Lots of movement going on!! Now we need to find some really nice boy homes!!