Meet Miss Molly

We have a new bundle of joy at our house in the form of a canine companion. I have been looking for a snuggly little lapdog for about six months now. I have looked at rescue groups and our local humane society over and over. I took several home from the humane society but they weren't just right for our family. This is a tough order since the new dog would have to get along with 3 kids, loads of neighbor kids and my two big pooches. Abby and Emma wanted every dog I looked at but I kept telling them when the right one came along, we'd know! I saw Molly's picture on the humane society's website just a few minutes before they closed one Saturday. I knew from the picture that she would be the one. I could just feel it. The minute they opened on Sunday the girls and I were there ready to check her out. Molly burst into the room and when I called her name, she ran and jumped into my lap. We took her home for a trial and when I called the shelter Monday morning, I told them she was home and not coming back! We did take her back Tuesday for her shots from a wonderful vet who volunteers his time there. Oh, and to pay the minimal fee it takes to get a dog. I know that fee doesn't even touch the love and care they provide. Molly loves everyone she meets. She has gotten along great with Penny and Gracie. If you can believe this, she has not had one single accident in the house!! She lays on the bed with me at night to snuggle up while I read or watch t.v. Molly has shown Gracie who is boss several times. The first time was when Gracie was frisky and wanted to play. Without any noise at all, Molly thrust her head forward in a threatening manner and Gracie took off like a shot. Well, actually, it was a bit cartoonish the way she took off. She was on linoleum and couldn't get traction on the floor and spun out a bit before taking off. She looked like Scooby Doo cutting out. What a hoot! This new doggie loves car rides and walks on the leash. The shelter originally thought she was around 7 because of the condition of her teeth. After having her overnight, I guessed about half that age. She is so spunky! The vet guessed about 4-ish. Someone didn't do a good job of taking care of her teeth. Too much soft dog food maybe? I mix some hard dog food with a little soft so she will eat it. Unfortunately she is about 5 pounds overweight so we are working on that. Lucky thing she won't eat plain hard dog food, or she'd have Gracie afraid to eat. There is no background on her. A volunteer from the local shelter goes to a nearby town that has a high-kill rate shelter to save adoptable dogs. I just can't believe someone gave her up or that she wasn't snatched up earlier. I picture her with an old lady who couldn't care for her anymore. She certainly seems like she was loved, though not super-well cared for. She went in for her first groom today. She is a bit of a scruffy mess with some matting and skin allergies. They asked what breed she is but I really have no clue. The vet said her body fur is like a cairn terrier. I think she has a bit of a shih tzu face. Would this make her a shit-terr? A terr-shit? A cair-shit? I think I will just call her MINE!

Summer Garden 2006

This year's garden is thriving! I did space apart my tomato plants this year like I have sworn for years I would. However, after pulling up over 50 volunteer tomato plants, I gave up and my garden is a jungle. We started getting our first tomatoes in early July. The peppers are coming on strong and Emma and I ate nearly every snow pea straight off the plant as they grew. The herb garden is out of control but am a bit too paranoid to trim it back since the bees are a'swarmin'! The absolute best thing about it this year would definitely be the sunflowers. They grew to be monsters! The tallest one is nearly 12 feet tall. Some heads are so big they are bowed over. I have made one batch of fresh salsa and will be canning as much as I can as soon as I start to get bunches of tomatoes at one time. Here is the fresh salsa makings: