Dog Stories

I love reading about animal stories with happy endings. There are any number of stories about specific dogs all over the Internet and Facebook. People make videos and they make the rounds of one dog. That's awesome. Any dog, or animal, that is saved from a life of abuse and neglect makes me really, really happy. But I was thinking about it today and I realized I have my own happy ending right here. I got Axl and Lola and they were painfully thin. I don't know their circumstances or what happened to them before I knew them. I didn't want to know and I kind of still don't. I don't want what they went through to influence how I feel about them or treat them. But this I know, they were in sad shape when I got them, skinny, skinny, skinny, and dirty. It hurt to look at Axl, his hips stuck out and ribs were very visible. Lola has really wrinkly feet and an eye problem. Once we had them for awhile and they put on a little weight they looked much better. Axl is still skinny but it doesn't hurt to look at him anymore. Lola doesn't have wrinkly feet or an eye problem. A little meat on her bones and these things went away. They are now both happy dogs and we are working on their issues. They know they are safe and secure, and I know this because Axl doesn't have separation anxiety anymore. When we got them Axl would go crazy whenever we would leave. He doesn't now, because he knows we are coming back. He trusts us. There are a thousand little things that let me know he trusts us and is happy. He lets me grab and kiss his face. He puts his head on my leg and closes his eyes. He follows me around like a shadow and always has to have me in view. It's so great to see how happy that boy is. Lola probably would have worked out anywhere. She has her issues too but she's easier to work with. So they may not be famous on the Internet. They don't have a viral video or a thousand fans, but they are my success story. The fact that I could make that much of a difference in the life of these 2 dogs makes me very, very happy.

In the bird room, Ricci continues to take on his beautiful male plumage. Both he and Mr. P are starting to look better so I think we are nearing the end of the molt. Once it's all done I'll post a picture of what Ricci ends up like. I am having trouble figuring out what to put on the floor of the bird room. Right now we have hardwood that really needs to be refinished. I've tried newspaper, that doesn't work. I tried plastic sheets, that doesn't work. I may have to look into laminate floor. Something that can be easily cleaned and removed if it gets really messed up. Not that I have the money for that, but I've got to do something.

Now it's time to get ready to take Bella on the morning adventure.....