Friday, November 30, 2012

Photo of the Day: Dogs Waiting on a Friend

At lunchtime on Monday, Dolly, Franklin and I walked by our friend and neighbor Elvina's house on Monday when I was working from home. They love their aunt Elvna and when we didn't see her car in the driveway, they insisted on coming to the end of the driveway and hoping she'd come out of
the house anyway!   They were so cute and so insistent that I took their picture.

Thursday, November 29, 2012

Today is Dolly's 8th Birthday

The 1st day I met Dolly at the rescue on Mar. 18, 2005
a favorite: Franklin and Dolly resting
 Our little girl, Dolly the Weimaraner turns 8 today, and she is the most loving, attentive, affectionate, loyal, obedient dog you'll ever meet. I (Rob) adopted her in March 2005 from Wolf Creek Weimaraner Rescue in Tennessee, when she was just 3 months old. She taught me what unconditional love was and prepared me to meet and fall for Tom. :) She's a great teacher. Today we celebrate Dolly's birthday with a brief gallery of some of her favorite things to do. Your daddies and your brothers love you more than anything, Dolly!
Dolly is always up for a walk!

Waiting for her favorite rope toss game

Extreme comfort is mandatory

She shares the bed and loves her brothers
Posing with Franklin at the doggy winery event
Now this is living!

Resting from Rope toss!



Tearing out another toy's stuffing!
Dolly hugs Tom

Dolly and Franklin cuddle

Dolly Looking out the truck window

Dolly in her Krypto outfit

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Dog Rescue - A Heartbreaking Night

   Working with two dog rescues has been very rewarding, but not everything works out, and when that happens it's tragic. This past weekend, our friend Melissa, who is the rescue coordinator for the Dachshund rescue we work with contacted us. She told us of a 5 year old long-haired Dachshund that was turned into the local shelter in our county. The shelter had a vet check out the little 15 pound dog, and noted "Chronic rear limb deformities in hocks and stifles and luxating patellas (right leg worse)." The other thing the vet's report noted was "Needs to see neurologist ASAP."
   We drove down to the shelter the next day, Monday, and met the little guy face-to-face. It was so heartbreaking. He was in a large cage next to 5 other dogs that were injured, but each of those dogs watched us as we walked in. The little dachshund did not even look up. He seemed to have given up on life whereas the other dogs still showed a spark of life and determination to go on with their lives.
  After working with both coast-to-coast Dachshund and various Weimaraner rescues for many years, we've never encountered a dog that didn't seem to have the spark in their eyes and the desire to go on, until that night.
  The little long-haired dachshund is beautiful dog, but he appeared withdrawn and in terrible pain. Although he let Rob pet his head for a brief period of time, he snapped when Rob tried to make him more comfortable. It was obvious to us that he was in a lot of pain, and his head and body kept shaking, that made us think of neurological damage. The dog briefly stood (for seconds) and then lay back down quickly, curled up. He was very  anti-social, and snarled when the shelter assistant tried to attend to him. It was evident to us that it would take a lot of medical treatment and socialization to give him some semblance of normalcy. In addition, the vet's assessment mentioned previously, further suggested the dog would not be an adoptable candidate for the rescue.  
   It was heartbreaking to see this little dog in such severe pain. He didn't seem to welcome nor want human interaction, and his demeanor was in such marked contrast to the other 4 injured dogs in the same holding area. 
    It appeared to us that this little dog had given up and wanted to move on.
    It was a sad encounter and we realize that we can't save them all, which is sometimes the most heartbreaking.  But we continually remind ourselves that we are limited and can only do so much.
    We walked out of the shelter and Rob cried for the little dog. We hope he finds peace beyond, playing with other dogs who have crossed over, where he'll be pain free and whole again. 
 

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

We rented "Abraham Lincoln Vampire Slayer"

This weekend, we finally made time to rent a movie, and it was one of which I read the book! 
  We rented "Abraham Lincoln Vampire Slayer."
 - Rob's take: After reading the book, I knew that the author used history as a base for this story, and worked in the vampire angle. The historic events were well done, mixed with the fantasy of vampire hunting. Although a little bloody, it could've been much worse. The actor that portrayed Lincoln did a great job, and the cinematography was well done, too. Interesting take on the confederacy. Well worth it.
SUMMARY:  President Abraham Lincoln, widely lauded for preserving the Union and freeing the slaves, has a secret motivation behind his determined rise to power: to fight against the forces of the undead. From a young boy whose mother was killed at the hands of vampires, Lincoln makes it his life's work to rid the nation of vampires, who nearly bring the nation to fracture during the Civil War.
Rated R by the Motion Picture Association of America for violence throughout and brief sexuality. 
TRAILER: 

Monday, November 26, 2012

Pics from Our Disney Trip!

with Micky and Minnie
I took Tom to Disney a week before his birthday to celebrate. We had a wonderful 2 day trip, and saw the Magic Kingdom and Disney Studios. Tom's favorite ride was the Tower of Terror,where I felt like I dropped a kidney on the second ride down!  Rob's favorite was the Star Tours motion /3D ride, and the Haunted Mansion. 
Rob and a Gargoyle
 - Fun with Friends: Because Rob used to live in Orlando, he's got a lot of great friends there, that Tom had never met, so we made sure it happened this time. We got to spend time with John N., Kathy M., Chris and John, and Karl and Fran. They all made the visit so wonderful!!  It's a great feeling when you haven't seen each other for years (although we're all in contact) and are just as close as ever.  It was truly a Magical two days in Disney.


Gaston's Tavern in the New Fantasyland

Rob's Fav place
Tom and interactive Tombstone


Rob with Library tombstone
Gargoyle at Belle's Mansion Dining Hall
Belle's Dining Hall


Under the Sea Ride in new Fantasyland

Under the Sea Ride- new fantasyland

Gargoyle, and Tom in his new grumpy shirt

Tom next to Cinderella's castle - tiled wall

Uh-oh! Tom's driving slow again

Lego Snow White and Dwarf


John, Tom and Rob

Rob, Tom, Karl and Fran!

Tom, Rob and Kathy!
Tom, John, Rob, Chris!

Main Street ready for Christmas
Topiaries
John and Tom goof it up!

Tom and Rob in a magical mood



Sunday, November 25, 2012

Triple Birthday Celebration: Tom, Ed and Sterling

Birthday boys: Sterling, Ed and Tom

I surprised Tom on Friday, Nov. 23 by organizing a dinner with 14 friends and family for his birthday and our friends Ed and Sterling's birthdays. What a great time at mi hacienda in Bowie! The staff was wonderful and the food excellent. Of course I brought in cake, too. Here are some pictures from the fun time! 

   What a great way to get those we love together- at a great restaurant! Thanks to Susan and Cary for supplying the balloons, too.
Front: Heidi, Paul, Ed / Back: Elvina, Susan, Cary

Back: Tom, Sean, Sterling, Cristina / Front: Jose, Jeff, Will

Back: Bob, Mom, Tom, Rob / Front: Blair, Lisa

Ed's Party Hat



Other end of the table!

Sean, Sterling, Cristina, Bob

Tom partying after a Jumbo Margarita
Bob, Mom, Tom, Susan, Cary, Heidi, Paul, Ed, Blair, Lisa

Bob, Mom, Tom, Elvina, Cary, Heidi, Paul, Ed, Blair, Jose

Tom (L) and Ed (R) don their mexican party hats
Williams Family Photo -by Ed Campion


Who I am

I'm a simple guy who enjoys the simple things in life, especially our dogs. I volunteer for dog rescues, enjoy exercising, blogging, politics, helping friends and neighbors, participating in ghost investigations, coffee, weather, superheroes, comic books, mystery novels, traveling, 70s and 80s music, classic country music,writing books on ghosts and spirits, cooking simply and keeping in shape. You'll find tidbits of all of these things on this blog and more. EMAIL me at Rgutro@gmail.com - Rob

A Classic Country Music Station to Enjoy