When life hands you lemons; make rosemary lemon spray

3 mornings in a row I woke with bites on my legs. Yikes! I tore the bed apart looking for bedbugs. No evidence. Whew! I washed all of my bed linens in hot water with bleach, vacuumed every nook and cranny, dusted and wiped down the baseboards...it's clean as a whistle in there. The same day  I visited my naturopath for another issue. She looked at the bites and said, "Got pets?"
 "Yep."
"Do they sleep in your room."
"Yep."
"Do they go outside?"
"Yep."
"Have you toxified them with noxious flea preparations?"
"Nope. The don't seem to be scratching so I've been holding off."
"What you've got here are flea bites."

Sooo, I went home and looked Baron and Posie over real good. They don't have fleas. But I'll concede that one or two fleas could've hitched a ride into the house on them.
just in case,  I made up this batch of natural flea repellent to spray on them.

ROSEMARY-LEMON SPRAY

• 1 lemon, thinly sliced.
• 1 big sprig of rosemary, chopped to release essential oils.
• 1 quart of boiling water. 
•  Put the lemon and rosemary into a jar and pour the hot water over them.
•  Let it steep overnight.
•  Strain the lemon and rosemary leaves out, and pour the liquid into a spray bottle. 

Spray the dog. Chase the cat and try to spray her.
Careful not to get it into their eyes or  the lemon will sting and they'll be traumatized at the sight of spray bottles for the rest of their lives. If you like, you could soak a bandanna in it, let it dry, and tie it about fido's neck.
Note: This stuff is not supposed to get rid of infestations...just repel fleas that are thinking about hopping on them. Unlike humans, bugs think that rosemary stinks. They avoid it.

But wait, here's the very best part. This spray smells just divine. I've been spraying it on myself, on the counters, all over the bathroom fixtures. It's just lovely! I love it so much that I went back to the market and bought more lemons so that I can keep this spray on hand all of the time. That's just how much I love it! (Another note here...When you spray yourself, the scent doesn't hang around long. :/
That said, remember that fido's sense of smell is 1000 times stronger than yours...and hopefully that goes for Mr. Flea also. So don't overdo things just because the smell has dissipated a bit. What I'm trying to say here is, don't drench the poor dog or cat in this. Be sensible.)

The moral of the story of course is: When life hands you lemons (or flea bites); make rosemary lemon spray!

:)

 





 

Scenes of Seattle and Bainbridge Island

We spent the weekend helping son John and his family get unpacked in their new home on Bainbridge Island in Seattle. Bainbridge is only about 30 minutes by ferry from the Seattle pier, but it feels miles away when you step off the ferry. No hustle, no bustle. just beautiful beaches, homes nestled in the trees or situated along beautiful beaches, and a pretty little town with quaint shops.

 

 

The Seattle skyline is glorious from the ferry on this sunny weekend.

 

Here in Western Washington, we are known for our forests...green, and verdant full of fir trees, ferns, moss and lichen. And because it's so green here, Seattle is called the Emerald City. But on this lovely, sunny day, it could easily be the Azure City. The sky, the sea, and the  mountains seemed to have called each other up and said, "Let's all wear blue today!"

Of course I had to throw in at least one shot of the space needle, our most familiar and beloved landmark!

Mount Rainer, suspended from heaven about Puget Sound. The mountain was originally called 'Tahoma' by the Native Americans who lived here before us. Tahoma has many reported meanings. Natives near my home claim it means, 'larger than Kulshan'. (Kulshan is Mount Baker. Mt. Baker is another local volcanic mountains that is only miles from my home. It is smaller than Rainer.) Other native say that Tahoma means, 'the place where waters begin', and another tribe claims that it means 'the place of the gods.' It is likely that it means all of these things.

Above is the ferry landing on Bainbridge Island.

After unpacking for awhile, we gathered the kids and the dogs and went to cool off at this pretty little beach. I don't recall the name of it. It is unofficially, according to locals, an off - lead beach for dogs.

Here is grandson Dane and his pretty mamma, Karen.

Dane's sister, my grand-daughter Ana. I'm now calling her "Island Girl."

Son John is keeping the dogs in line. Or trying to.

Baron loves the water. We have to force him to rest and have a drink of water. As you can see, he's most intent to get back out there with the children.

That boat had a black lab aboard. I think Baron was trying to decide if he could swim out or not.

My son's dog, Millie, the Aussie, likes to run in the surf, but doesn't actually swim. She's pretty perturbed here, because she was in time out for playing a little to intensely with other dogs. Wants to herd them. After all, that's her job!

I didn't know these children, but they were playing so sweetly together in the surf that I couldn't resist photographing them. What a beautiful place; Bainbridge Island. I am so looking forward to visiting often.

As I took the photos of the harbor outside of Seattle, I couldn't help but think of a song. It was the theme song to an old 70's TV show called "Here Come the Brides." The show was about the early settlers of Seattle who were lumberjacks, and their 'mail-order' brides. It wasn't that authentic, but very entertaining; especially because teen heartthrob Bobby Sherman starred in the show. Do you remember it? Can you recall the song...

The bluest sky's you've ever seen
 are in Seattle,
and the hills, the greenest-green,
 in Seattle.
Like a beautiful child
growing up, free and wild
full of laughter
full of tears
full of hope
and full of fears
full of dreams to last the years
in Seattle.
in Seattle.

It somehow seemed so appropriate to me, as John and Karen start a new life near Seattle.

And so John, Karen, Dane, Ana, and Millie; blessings to you in your new home on Bainbridge...Seattle. May all of your dreams come true there, and may your beautiful children grow up free and wild in their new island home. And hoping that Millie decides to try swimming!

***

 

My Personal Plea for Chained Dogs- I Beg You To Read This!

I am reposting this piece (and will continue to do so occasionally) to remind folks not to chain their dogs...

As by now, you are aware, we had to say goodbye to our beloved dog because of an incident precipitated by Leash Agression.

Yesterday I called our trainer, Jennifer, to tell her the news. She too, was saddened by this incident. Koda was so bright and personable, she could have been a wonderful dog. Jennifer was very kind and consoling, assuring me that we had done everything in our power to retrain Koda. We discussed the role that the psychology of her past had played in the incident. One of Koda's former owners, a young man, used to take her to work on the night shift at a cement plant and tie her up ourside. It is likely that he unwittingly caused her much psychological damage in doing this.

Jennifer told me that in her experience, more than 90% of the dogs she deals with who have issues, have been affected by human treatment. I find this appalling. Power comes with responsibility. We as humans have a great responsibility to the creatures on this planet. Our everyday decisions impact their individual destinies, and ultimately their survival as a species.

Eons ago, the wild canine species, for some reason, agreed to domestication. Probably of necessity and later out of affection. Think of all of the other wild animals who have not submitted to human will. But cats and dogs, horses, and a few others have willingly come under our subjugation. There is no turning back to wildness for them, nowhere to go. Now they are utterly dependent upon man for their existence. In return for this dependence, they are mistreated and abandoned at our whim; treated as an object for our amusement...discarded when they are no longer wanted. Our shelters are bursting at the seams and animals are being euthanized at a rate that would shame Auschwitz. Perhaps it is we, and not the canine who are animals!

I am posting this excerpt from Life on Chain by Margaret LaTour,  http://www.spdrdogs.org/pdf/Life%20on%20a%20Chain.pdf ,  in an effort to educate people about the horrible practice of chaining dogs, and the effect it has upon them. Please take the time to read this article, then educate your family, your friends, and your co-workers about it. Please do this for me...and for Koda.





Why is a Chain Abusive?


Dogs are social animals, needing to be with their human families.       Being chained outside isolates them and denies them this basic need. The dog quickly becomes neglected and its intellect must find other   outlets – for instance, digging, chewing, barking, nervous pacing,     and aggression, all for which the dog will be punished.


The behavior of the chained dog is a result of fear. S/he is exposed to danger, real or imagined, and cannot run away or defend. This   dog lives in a world of terror. The dog can see its outer territory -  
the house, other parts of the yard – and cannot defend it. This drives them to intensify defense of the small area they occupy, the perimeter of the chain. Many people have been bitten by a chained dog.


The chained dog receives little or no positive, loving attention. What they do get from people is teasing, taunting, poisoning, thrown rocks, and more terror. Since the chained dog is exposed to whatever comes by, s/he becomes, in the words of Dennis Fetko, Ph.D., “defensively aggressive. The chain/tether also promotes attack by triggering an opposition reflex (thigmotaxis).”


Living life on a chain is also dangerous. I recently grief counseled a man who had tied up his 11 month old female German Shepherd in his yard and went into his house. Thirty minutes later, he found his dog hanged to death on the other side of the fence. Another 14-month old female German Shepherd was brought to the Bellevue Humane Society for attempting the same maneuver. Besides this danger, there is the very real chance of attack from stray dogs,
coyotes, or raccoons. The chained dog cannot get away. Also, physical injury can result from the chain or rope itself— neck injury, injury to the trachea or larynx, or to the teeth from chewing on the    chain. Herniated disks can occur from pulling against the tension.     


The chained dog always remains exposed to the whims of people      outside. A person intent on robbing the house or hurting its occupants is aided by the chain. Also, a person who intends to         
injure the dog has no obstacle. Dogs belong in homes with their        families. Any applicant coming through SPDR{Seattle Purebred        Dog Rescue} applying for a dog that will be chained is denied.       

These are just a few reasons why.
 
 
 

My Baron, My Bubba, My Babba Louie

 

 

 

This is me and Baron... my Bubba..my partner in crime... my Babba Louie. (You have to be old enough to remember Quick Draw McGraw/El Kabong to know about Babba Louie!)

Baron is a full bred American Field Labrador Retriever. American Field Labs are taller and lankier than their British counterparts. Even so, he's the tallest lab I've ever seen...and most folks who know Labs would agree. There's more to Mr. Baron that his devastating good looks. He is the sweetest creature on the face of the earth. He adores small children and small animals. At the dog park Baron will take his ball and drop it in front of smaller dogs that seem frightened of him; a gesture of friendship. When our grandchildren squabble he becomes very upset. He barks and puts himself between them as if to say, "can't we all just get along?"

Like any two year old, Baron has tons of energy. We walk him faithfully every morning and evening...rain, snow, or shine. At least twice a week we supplement the walks with swimming, outings to the dog park, or a run in the woods for a real workout. We find that if we don't do this, his energy levels just build and build...which can lead to mischief! In addition, we've spent hours and hours in training with him. If you are going to make a dog live in human society, he has to be given the skills to get along.  This means walking nicely on a leash, sitting, staying on command, and just basically having good manners. These niceties will keep him out of trouble with the neighbors, small children, other dogs, and ultimately keep him from winding up on death row in the animal shelter or from getting smashed under the wheels of a car. It is for him, more than for you, that you train him!

 Dogs purportedly  have the intellect of a toddler with the capability of learning several hundred words. It would be unconscionable to raise a young child without training him or giving him the opportunity to communicate with you. The same goes for dogs. They really want to understand you and are very adept at learning words. So far Baron knows sit, stay, wait, treat, eat, food, heel, back, ball, stick, drink, go, break, come, no, leave it, go for walk, go for ride, lay down, off, down, look, fetch, release, poop, pee, Papa, Mama, and Posie Cat, shake, knuckles, we're done, and go to bed.  Most recently I taught him to turn left and right. The way I did this was when we set out for a walk I would walk straight down the driveway without committing (either with my body or verbally) to turn either right or left onto the sidewalk. When we came to the sidewalk I'd say "right" or "left" and then turn in that direction. He soon caught on. At first I wondered if this skill was limited to walking, and if he really understood the meaning of right and left. So we expanded on the concept at the swimming hole. Sometimes when we toss a stick into the water, he'll leap after it, but then lose sight of where it is. When this happens, we yell, "left" or "right" depending upon the location of the stick. When we do this, our Smarty Pants boy-pup invariably swims in the direction that we command and finds his stick! Honestly, he's so smart that sometimes I lie awake wondering what I can teach him next! Algebra?

Bottom line...having a dog is one of the most wonderful things you can do. But I must warn you; as with having children, you must be committed to them for life. If you cannot see yourself exercising your dog daily, providing a safe comfortable environment for them, paying veterinary bills and attending training sessions...don't do it. And for heaven's sake, don't buy a puppy for little Billy for Christmas! How absurd. Is little Billy capable of taking care of a baby? No, you say? Then he's not capable of taking care of a puppy. Period. Just know that that puppy is YOURS, your responsibility and yours to take care of. Little Billy will enjoy playing with him, much as he enjoys playing with his baby sister...but you must not make him ultimately responsible for the welfare of a dog. It's not reasonable or fair to either the child or the pet.

That said; when you're willing to take the plunge; and if you want a big, goofy, loveable family dog, get a Lab. They are angels...angels with an insatiable desire for goodies!

 

Quicks Draw and Babba Louie...'sallright!'

 

***

Nose-to-Nose Meditation

Life Rule #438: When at the beach, you MUST wade!

This morning I took a few minutes to meditate; something I've purposed to do this summer. (Yes, my dear, Christians may meditate too--it's all about what they meditate upon!) Anyway, I was sitting crosslegged on the floor of my living room in a warm sunny spot; just listening to the birds singing and the sound of my own breathing. Baron was lying at my side. I'd warned him several times to stop pawing at my hands for attention and he finally got the message and settled down. Maybe 5 minutes had passed when I heard him stand up. (My eyes were closed.) I sensed him standing directly in front of me. "Ignore him," I said to myself and continued my slow, rhythmic breathing. He moved closer. And closer. His nose was touching mine. I continued trying to ignore him. Now he was sniffing my breathes, sucking in my exhales and breathing into my nose...hmmm. Now his whiskers were touching my face and my chin. It tickled! I smiled, then chuckled. Have you ever meditated nose-to- nose with a dog; and felt him tickle your chinny-chin-chin? I highly recommend it!

Note: My Bible study this morning was pretty heavy. Intense stuff. Thank you Lord for sending me that little tickle on the chin and helping me to lighten up!

***

Stopping to Smell the Flowers



"What's this, Mama?"





"It's a flower, Baron. Now don't eat it. Flowers are  pretty...we're supposed to look at them and smell them."






" Okay, Mama. I like flowers."

"Me too, Baron!"

Though we're incredibly busy right now, I still make it a priority to walk every day with Baron. I began walking Baron to exercise the both of us. But now our morning stroll has become more than exercise. It is food for the soul.  As we amble beneath the firs in the City Park, there is such beauty and peacefulness. This morning, there were hundreds of delicate pink bleeding hearts with pure white trillium interspersed amid them. Birds sang and the sun filtered softly through the leaves...glorious! I have no photos for you, as this time is just for Baron and me. 

I have sorely missed taking photos on my hiatus, so I did shoot a few shots this morning when we returned home. Posts will still be few as we continue to forge along in the remodeling process. 

Loving those shadows! It means the sun is finally out! Woo-hoo!

Hope you stop to smell the flowers and see your shadow too!

***



Let's Go Fly A Kite

Sunday. Sunshine...finally!

.

Textures... rough, sun-washed, weather-beaten.

Blue skies. Ocean. Sand. Shells. Eagles and Heron. Pinecones and fancy shells. Rocks. Driftwood. Peanut Butter and Jelly. Brightly colored kites. Salt air. Happy smiles.

Stopping by Woods...

All of our plans were turned upside down and topsy turvy this weekend. We were supposed to have dinner with son Tyler and his family on Friday evening, but Ty had the sniffles and had to cancel. On Sunday we were going to have my sister and hubby over to celebrate her birthday, but my hubby woke up with a sore throat...another cancellation. Thus, a very social weekend turned into a very quiet one.

 I took Baron over to Berthusen Park for a walk in the woods. It was a lovely January day, cold and sunny. The silence in the park was glorious. As we walked beneath the firs, the only sound was the crunch of my boots in the crusty snow. Once well into the wood, I allowed Baron to run free. My great black dog seemed more shadowy spirit than creature as he raced silently through the wood; disappearing behind trees and into shadows, then suddenly reappearing at my side.  The woods are bordered on one side by a field with tree plantings, and on another by the old farm buildings from the original homestead. 

Snowy wood scenes as these always bring to mind one of my all-time favorite poems by Robert Frost. I hope you enjoy the words and the scenery...

Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening

by Robert Frost

Whose woods these are, I think I know.

His house is in the village though;

He will not see me stopping here

to watch his woods fill up with snow.

 My little horse must think it queer

to stop without a farmhouse near

between the woods and frozen lake

the darkest evening of the year.

He gives his harness bells a shake

to ask if there is some mistake.

The only other sound's the sweep

of easy wind

and downy flake.

The woods are lovely,

dark and deep..

But I have promises to keep.

And miles to go before I sleep...

And miles to go before I sleep.

***

My New Companion

Meet my new walking partner--Sir Grizzley Bear Newton 1st! (We didn't give him this high-falutin name, but I do kind of like it.) Hubby has re-named him Baron. I just call him Bear. He's still a baby, just 9 months old...all 84 clumsy pounds of him. We think that when he grows into his frame he'll weigh in at around 110 lb or so.

This handsome fellow loves long walks, tender caresses, gazing soulfully into your eyes, big sloppy kisses and playing keep away. And how he enjoys a fine meal.

I'm pretty smitten with this big galoot! He's a gentle giant.

We could use a little advice with this boy. If you have a big dog who's a big chewer, can you tell me what kind of toys you give him? He's got the Kong of course, and the Kong ball and a huge synthetic bone of some kind, but he needs more things to keep him occupied. Any suggestions?

Koda

Koda's spending the night at the veterinary hospital...she ate something disagreeable and they're keeping an eye on her tummy. They want to be sure it passes through her digestive tract OK. Words cannot express how much I miss her tonight. She became a part of our pack on Halloween 2010 and she's changed our lives forever. Kelly and I are both head over heels in love with this dog. She's my child, my friend, companion, commiserator, playmate, walking partner, and more. I hate it that she's spending the night alone. Just hate it! I'm sure she's gonna be just fine, and I'm mighty glad to have such a great doggy doctor (and the money it takes to pay him) but I want my sweet Koda dog here...tail a-waggin', goofy smile, and all!