Twitch

This is Twitch. He is an Los Angeles doggie. He ate too much resulting in over weight. His back couldn't take the stress and he went down. He has come to stay with me to see if I can get him back up. He is doing well. Lost 3 lbs. and is learning to use the cart. He is a love-bug. Can;t get attached though. To many dogs here and he has a home.

We lost our Cal on August 17 to the Rainbow Bridge. He is buried in the pet cemetery at Slab City. Such an empty place in our hearts.

Cookie and Earl Bio

"There have been many new members since I last gave a bio on our furkids and those that know me might like an update, so I decided to re-introduce myself. I am Cookie. Hubby, Earl, and I are in our 40th year of marriage and are full-time RVers since retirement, which has given us the opportunity to travel a bit and meet a few of you. Next year we hope to make another trip and meet a few more and revisit some of you that we have met. Right now we are living in the desert in southern California near Death Valley. We are avid boondockers mostly because few RV parks will tolerate 8 dogs, but also because we like being free from the restraints of society. We live in a community of varied individuals who no longer wish to fit into the accepted norm.

Earl and I did Dachshund Rescue for some years and took in "Special Needs" Dachshunds from shelters and persons unable to care for their down or otherwise handicapped Dachshunds. Of those we have 7 with us that nobody wants because of the special care they require. We, however, do love them and promised them we'd care for them and we are doing just that.

Cal is our oldest @ 17 yrs. He is a wheelchair dog and has been since 2000. He is slowing down some, but keeps going. By entering him in parades and other functions, he has been an ambassador for those that are in wheelchairs, and gives hope to Dachshund keepers who have a dog affected by IVDD.

Next, in the pecking order would be Phoenix. Phoenix is the "Mascot" for this group. He was acquired by one of our members, Joy Brunn. He was in dire straights-unable to function due to abuse and starvation. He is the reason this group was formed, if I remember correctly. At the time, the group several of us belonged to was off line and Phoenix was in the hospital, hence this group was formed to continue to offer support and prayers for Phoenix. I believe that was 8-9 years ago (Jean?). After his recovery, he came to live with us, as we had become somewhat of a sanctuary. He is fine. However, due to injuries incurred, he has no control of his bowels and is incontinent. We believe he was about a year old when he came to us, therefore, he is about 9 yrs. Old.

Peter Pan was an adult dog when found tied to my vet's back door with lash marks and a severe case of malnutrition. He promptly bit the vet. My daughter who worked there called me to tell me the vet was going to euthanize him because of his physical condition combined with his attitude. We took him in. He does fine, but has moments of flash backs and can be unpredictable and bite. He doesn't care much for people so it is fairly easy to keep him safe from biting someone and having him thrown in jail. We figure Peter to be about 12 yrs. Old.

Rudy came to us in 2000. A lady called me bawling and said her husband was going to kill her dog. When I got her calmed down, I ascertained he had IVDD and the husband refused to pay for the surgery or otherwise cope with the problem. Rudy was not in pain. We went to a gated community with multi-million dollar homes on it and picked Rudy up. It took about 6 months of meds and excercise, but Rudy walks today. He has a crooked gait and no control of his bowels and bladder. He is my husbands Velcro dog. He is 13 yrs. Old.

Next came Ranger. He was about a year or so old when he came to us in 2001. He had an electric garage door come down on him and injure his back. He could walk but had no control of his bowels and bladder making his owners give up on him. He has a nickname-Smiley. He lifts the sides of his lips and smiles at you. He does it on command for some people, but alas, not I.

Next-Dixie. Dixie Doodle was bought to me by a senior who could no longer care for her. Dixie was unable to walk and had no control of her bowels and bladder. Today, Dixie walks with a crooked gait and has control of her bladder. Yay. Her bowels usually move in the night while she is sleeping in her crate, so I don't think she knows she is not completely house trained. She believes herself to be a princess. If she wants a toy or bed that one of the others have, she barks until they give up and give it to her. We believe Dixie to be about 12 yrs. Old.

Lily is the most recent addition to our Dachshund tribe. She was surrendered after going through several families that passed her on because of her peeing in the house. Lily can't hold her bladder, if she has to go. She knows when she needs to go and will go outside, if she can get outside. If not, she will pee in the house. She doesn't like pee pads but will go on a hand towel left on the kitchen floor for her at night or if we are gone somewhere. Easy-peasy! Lily is about 6 yrs. Old.

Paco, the Chihuahua, is my Velcro dog. He came to us in 2006 from the animal shelter. He had been picked up as a stray. He had been shot numerous times with a b-b gun. He is blind in one eye and has some b-bs left under the skin that you can feel. The vet said to leave them, as they would do no damage and it would be unnecessary surgery to remove them. He was adopted out to a nice family. This past summer while in Sacramento his caretaker called me and said he could not keep him any longer, as he had been transferred overseas with his company. Taco came back to us and latched on to me and here is where he'll stay. I believe him to be about 8 yrs. Old.

I realize this to be a long email, but I promise not to do it again for a few years. LOL
Here is a link to the community where we have been since November. . Scroll on down until you see the "Slab City" link on the right. Slab City is where we are. We were here last winter, also http://desertdutch.org/"

Well, I've went and ordered new business cards. Camp Winnie and Pooh is a thing of the past, but dogs just seem to gravitate to me. LOL We are trying to make it here through the summer with temps at up to 120 degrees. If we make it, I may be starting to seriously start doing rescue again. Out here in the desert no one bothers us. No one cares. That is fine with me.

Amy is Adopted

Last Saturday Earl and I took Amy to the Naval Air Base in El Centro where she was adopted by an airplane mechanic and his wife. Amy has a new brother named Spike. Amy and Spike have their own facebook page, SpikeNAmy. Check it out for pics and videos of them playing and sleeping.

Draw The Dog

Draw the Dog for May 10, 2010

See ya later to Mary and Rich

Tuesday night we bid see ya later to Mary and Rich. They headed down the road to finish up some medical appointments, then they are heading north for the summer. The helicopters did a fly over and one of the neighborhood rattlers dropped by for a visit.

Spay Mobile

On Sunday, April 18, the Animal Action League Spay Mobile pulled in at the church. Teri had been around the week before taking signups. I told her I would be glad to help, so I spent the day transporting dogs and cats, and doing a little paperwork. The charge was $5, but some people didn't have it and they still got the services. Spay mobile is the proper name for the rig, as they target female dogs and cats, as they can't do all needed and the females get pregnant. I believe they did 20 on Sunday and about 15 on Monday. Try to stop and think how many dogs and cats were saved from being born. Moms have babies, babies have babies, and their babies have babies, etc. it continues. Now these people have a handle on how to stop the over-crowding of animals. They have talked about me organizing a trap and release for cats and dogs in the fall and I just may do it!

Datastormers

Just signed up for Datastormers and want to link this blog. hmmmmmmmmmmmm

We have had a very busy weekend. We've traded the Motorhome for a pickup. It is a 1978 GMC 2500 Camper Special. Now to find a camper for it.

All the Dachshunds are fine and playing hard. My little Chihuahua Dog is still my shadow.

The Niland Tomato Festival went off even with the rain. The parade had fewer vehicles than last year, but the enthusiasm was great. It included the local school band, our friends and neighbors, Leonard from Salvation Mountain, as well as the trusty Niland Fire Department, among the floats.

It has been some time since I wrote. We have been busy with Amy. She is now spayed and on several websites and up for adoption. My daughter is coming to see me and the new Coldwater Jane Video is out. :) Here is the link to the video in case you haven't seen it yet.
http://www.cmt.com/videos/coldwater-jane/484597/bring-on-the-love.jhtml?id=1632039

Chasterus and his art

Today we visited Charlie. Charlie, or Chasterus, http://chaster.us/, as he is known on the web, is a full-time resident here at Slab City. His artwork is well known here locally, as well as by those who frequent his blogs. He is going to have open house every Wednesday afternoon. I have been yearning to check out more of his artwork and see Walter, the buried transit bus, up close, but have been holding back because it just isn't polite to drop in.

I did get to take several pictures, as well as enjoy the company of other like minded people who enjoy living outside the "grid". Charlie enjoys taking other peoples castoffs and changing them into art. He is in the process of building a three story tower. He also has some decorated cars. His VW bus is aptly named Cinamon and has traveled all around the states attending art shows, as well as several stints at the burning man festival.

Amy is spayed

Well, folks, Amy survived the spay. I knew she would. When I went to pick her up she laid her head on my lap and looked at me with those big eyes, as if to say, "I'm glad you're here, Mom. These people are wierd and something happened. I don't know what. Can we go home now?" She is feeling good tonight and ready to play.

She is back to tormenting her Dachshund friends here in the yard. I want so much to keep her, but I am not sure an RV life is good for a big energetic doggie like her.

After the potluck we moved on down to the Range where they were filming the country/western video. I found out that it is a video of the song, "Bring on the Love" by Coldwater Jane. She and her sister posed with some of the crowd, but I forgot my camera. ;(

Yesterday was a very eventful day. Solar Mike and Judy had their annual Solar potluck. They had 7 or 8 solar ovens out cooking with various yummies and everyone brought a dish of goodies. A solar oven is definitely on my list of must haves. Their was plenty of food and plenty of people. Drop 7 came to play and Charlie did 3 numbers, also. The last song Charlie did was the highlight of the music for me.

They are setting up to film down at the Range Stage. They told me they are filming a country/western video. They said they are setting up today and will be filming all day tomorrow. They said to come back tomorrow and be in the film. Earl took a couple of pictures of the rigs.

Here is a picture of Amy's chair. She has made it as comfortable as possible. LOL

Amy was what is commonly referred to as slab dog around here. Where we are, there are no rules or official gov't. There are dogs running free here. They either come from town (3 miles away) when people abandon them here instead of doing the right thing. Kind of a let 'em go where they can run free and they will be all right mentality. Or slab dogs come from the various litters born here. A fair share of the people living here don't have resources to care for their dogs. AND, as I found out while looking for a low cost spay option for Amy, there is no low-cost spay/neuter programs. It is going to cost $168 to spay Amy. Anyway, she was hanging around the Range Stage and one of the snow-birds wanted her and no one could catch her, so I volunteered. Of course, as you know, I have a way with dogs. She wasn't growling or acting aggressive. She was just backing up and taking off when anyone tried to approach her. I looked her in the eye and said, "stay", in a very firm voice, as I walked toward her. She stood her ground and looked at me, while cocking her head from side to side and raising her ears, as if to say, "you talking to me". I walked right up to her and picked her up. Went to Earl who put a collar and leash on her before I sat her down. Anyway this fellow kept her 2 nights and she showed up at our door. We kept taking her away, but she came back and wanted in the yard. We gave up. I got her shots last weekend and after a couple of paydays we'll be able to get her spayed.

I feel we should find her a home, but don't know how that will go. She is a big dog, about 6 to 8 months old, very rambunctious, and a handful. On the other hand, she house trained almost immediately, loves the other doggies, and Earl is having a blast running her with his 4-wheeler. I am afraid Earl is getting attached to her. He thinks it is great to have a dog that is house trained.

She doesn't hold her potty all night and comes to the bed and wakes Earl at about 4 every morning and he doesn't complain. Just gets up and lets her out to go. She does her job, turns around, and comes right back in to bed. This morning Earl heard her chewing on something and in his half-awake state thought she had another shoe and he tried to ignore it, but realized he could hear a bag rattling. So he jumped up and came in to her bed and she had the 10 lb. Bag of potatoes and had them out on her bed and had taken a bite out of some of them. He just started laughing and picking 'em up.

She is such a delight that I could write of her antics all day. Yesterday it looked like it had snowed in the yard-she tore up a foam rubber kids chair. She does listen and tries to be good, but she is just a pup.

BTW, the person who wanted her moved his rig so she can't find him. He says she is too much trouble.

She is a clown.