Wednesday, August 18, 2010

August 18 2010


We just had our second annual American Brittany NY/NJ/CT Picnic this past Saturday, and while once again Brian and I came dogless, we had plenty of doggie pals to keep us busy. Unfortunately, the CT contingent, consisting entirely of Arley the Adorable and his parents Helaine and Bob,could not join us because: a) they are packing up and hitting the retirement road in an RV with Arley and his soon to be brother Joe in a few days; and b) because I recruited Helaine as the only other CT contact I had to help me bust Sadie out of doggie jail and get her back here (more below). But we still managed to be a two-state picnic, as Baby Missy was kind enough to bring her folks, Marianne and Joe, up from NJ.
As you can see, we had perfect weather, great food, beautiful dogs, good company, and all one could want in an outdoor event. This is especially significant since it's been raining/pouring in 5 minute intervals for weeks now - so an entire sunny day that was NOT 104 (yes, seriously, we hit 104 for several days in a row, of course while our air conditioner had died)was a real treat.

Other than Baby Missy and senior (10+ years old) Rosie
getting a bit growly when they were introduced to dogs while on leashes, it was very congenial. And the growly girls were easily managed by their devoted folks.


Thurman, the liver and white dog who is part of Tracey and Lynn's ever-growing pack, was the only male in the entire group. He is a sweet and fairly goofy, deaf, beautiful boy that was just astonished when Missy did not appreciate his friendly overtures (everyone else did!).

We had such a good time that although we had agreed to leave by 5, it was 6:30 before anyone headed out. I just LOVE this group, once again the picnic was the highlight of my summer.

And as for Sadie, who arrived here the day after the picnic, the story is surprising and sad. Apparently the vigorous exercise rollerblading several times a week, and the dog-friendly but very busy neighborhood where she lived was just too much for her.
After months of friendly and positive calls and emails, with absolutely no hint that things were anything but fine, I got an email with the subject line "Sadie needs to be returned", informing me that my little angel dog was currently in quarantine for a dog fight which resulted in someone allegedly getting bitten. Yes, I was shocked, it was as if someone just informed me that my Tante Annette, a tiny and petite woman who lived to be almost 101, had just ax-murdered someone.

As I scurried around trying to wrap my head around the horrible attack dog that was now being describe, and find out just what doggie jail she was in, and get a transport in place, I reviewed every single document I ever got about Sadie, from the very first NC contact. No one, and nothing, indicated anything other than she was "skittish around other dogs" and a very shy girl. Now in my world, skittish and unmanageably aggressive are not the same thing. Over the week and a half I had to get everything done and prepare for Sadie's return, I got more information from Helaine, who had graciously volunteered to dogsit Sadie when her adopter left for a vacation he'd planned prior to adopting her. She "went for" Arley the very first time they were introduced (both on those extendable leashes I now have another reason to loathe). I guess Arley came up too fast for her comfort. She lunged at him and fortunately grabbed his harness instead of himself; Arley shrieked (Arley shrieks at the lighting of a match as well), Helaine inserted herself, stuck her hand in Sadie's mouth, and Sadie let go. They all went inside, Helaine agreed to still keep her, and for four days and nights, when the adopter was absent from the scene, she had not one more problem. Sat on the floor with a dog on each side getting pets, walked them one on each side of her every day - does that sound like a ravening wolfish killer dog? Not to me either. This was the first "episode", and I can almost understand why no one told me. But what about the second, third, etc?


So Sadie is back here, just as I remember her but with a bit more pulling on the slip leash (I'm guessing the rollerblading sessions had Sadie in the lead). She looked so sad when we finally met up with Helaine and Bob, and didn't much react to either Brian or to me at first. But when we got home and got her out of the car, she seemed to recognize the place, and relax a bit. Now, three days into our next chapter of life with Sadie, she's been to the vet, had any physical reason for her strange behavior ruled out, and I am composing paragraphs in my head to post on the net that will be fairly accurate but not scare off any and all potential adopters. Suggestions welcome!

As for the garden, you might guess by the lack of photos just how poorly the vegetables are doing this year. 4 zucchini, 2 cucumbers, 4 tomatoes, lots of basil and of course hysterically happy sunflowers are what we've eaten so far. The eggplant and chilis are still tiny and I have yet to spot an eggplant, though I can see the flowers are setting. There are 4 tiny chilis, about 3 inches long, on one of the six tiny plants. I have no explanation for this. However, the goldfinches are wildly enthusiastic about the sunflowers, no doubt because they are so color-coordinated, and regularly swarm the vegetable cage except of course when I head out with my digital camera - poof, they're gone! And the squirrels too are having a great time climbing up and down the chicken wire, pulling off wilted sunflower heads and sitting on the top of the cage throwing out what they don't want to eat. That too would be a great photo if I could ever get it - but I am just not dedicated enough to set up and wait, so you'll have to use your imagination.

That is the up to date report. Having a dog with a rap sheet is a new experience for me, but thankfully Sadie is oblivious and just wants to sleep, eat, and get some affection, all of which can easily be managed. And your news?