Routine

Have you ever noticed how all of us have some type of routine to our lives. Sometimes it is consistent, sometimes it is not. I have different habits or routines, but they change quite frequently, and this creates much confusion for my pets. You see my pets have a routine and it is the same one when I come home.

When I arrive home I am greated by my two big, loveable labs. They immediately start to circle me and dance around. We then head to the back door I open it and they run out. It wouldn't matter if they were just out there, they will still run out. I then go upstairs to change out of my work clothes and our black kitty Ebby will bound up the stairs and follow me in to the room meowing and insisting she be held. I pick her up I rub her head, and then drop her on the bed and change. Once I change I go to the bathroom, where Tigger our reddish-blonde cat awaits for me to fill up his water dish. I then go downstairs and the guinea pigs begin to squeel in excitement for food. I feed them, and then I am done. Usually by this time the dogs have been let back in to the house and they have been following me all around. Funny enough there is only one pet that could care less that I am home, and that is the puff ball.

It's funny, because it does not matter when I come home, it doesn't matter if I detour a little bit around the house you are guaranteed the animals will do their little routine with me even if I don't follow it exactly.

Family Zoo

We have a mini zoo at our house.

This is Millie. She is our escape artist. It doesn't matter how tall the fence she gets out.

This is Liza. She is a good dog and like every lab loves to play. She would play 24/7 if we would. Her one draw back is she licks all the time, but this is solved by letting her carry a sock in her mouth. Liza and Mille have the exact same birthday, but they are 4 years apart.This is Tigger. Tigger is the only male animal in the house. We got Tigger from my mom. She was taking care of him for my brother and Tigger decided to adopt our daughter Shandy. Tigger loves to hang out with Shandy and in her room. This is Puffy. Originally Puffy's name was angel, but she looked more like a puff ball, so we called her Puffy. Although puffy is fat she can run fast, especially if you are heading in the direction of her food!This is Ebby. As far as cats go she is perfect. You pet her a little bit and then she goes away. She doesn't like or need to be snuggled or sit on your lap.

This is Cocoa. We have only had he for a short time. She is a very talkative guinea pig and somewhat cuddley.

This is Steffi. She is a very shy guinea pig, but loves to play when we set out her play area.

A Tribute to Al

Today was a day to talk about my pre-ride on the Wolverine Ridge. However, while meeting team mates in Park City to car pool up to the trail I received a very sad phone call. My husband called to let me know he and Mandy had gotten home and found her guinea pig dead.

Al (the guinea pig) has 2 cages one he lives in and then another big round one he plays in. Mandy forgot and left Al in the big round one while she went with her dad. While they were gone Millie, our lab, broke down the pen, and apparently played with the guinea pig to its death. We have only had AL a very short time because he was a birthday present for Mandy--one she has been asking for, for a long time. And although she had him a short time she was very sad and still is to find him dead. It was hard for me to not be home to comfort Mandy, and broke my heart even more as Royce told me Mandy had Al on her lap and was convinced he was not dead. She tried everything to see if he was alive, she tried to give him food, water and kept thinking he was still alive. My poor husband I felt bad he had to deal with our daughter being heart broken. I don't know if this is something daddies should have to do. Later after Mandy finally realized Al was not alive Royce and Mandy buried him and Mandy put flowers around him.

When I got home I was able to comfort Mandy and let her cry her tears. What a sad day for her.

The only picture we have of Al taken on my cell phone. :-(

2 Long Hours

Tonight was my final tournament game for women's softball. We were in the championship bracket, so all we had to do was win the game and it was over--we didn't. Our game tonight was full of errors, but worse than anything was we could not get on our sticks. Normally we hit, hit and hit, but tonight we were shut down. I hit to the same place all night--ugh. Usually I choose where I hit, but I guess not tonight. Occassionally on a team someone will have an off ngiht, but our whole team had an off night. The weird thing is we were all ready to play. And if you can't tell we also lost the second game. The worst part there were over 10 runs walked. I think I saw the most action of the entire night (I caught for both games except for the last 15 minutes). Oh well, one last tournament game tomorrow. If all goes well with that I will be palying 3 hours.

Side note....one of our cats went to the groomer today. Check out the results.

BEFORE - long hair and weighed down.

AFTER- trimmed & happy, checkout the hanging tummy

I need to ground my dog from the pool!

While I was typing my blog. My dog Liza saw the door was open a crack and went outside. This is fine and I paid no attention, until about 5 minutes after she came back in. I got up to close the door and the floor is soaking wet! The foot stools have water splashed on them, and a notebook is ruined. I looked at my dog and she is soaking wet. It appears she decided to go swimming.

I don't think she looks sad enough about getting wet.