Well….right now SlobberDog is huddled up on his bed, miserable and scratching. Yes, his allergies have returned in full force and he is most unhappy at the moment. But…..I have something fun to share with you! Not too long ago, I was at a local pet store owned by the same people who own the University of Doglando (a favorite place around my house). I noticed a flyer for the daycare on the counter and picked it up. Do you recognize anyone?
To my surprise, the one and only SlobberDog was lucky enough to grace the ad for this awesome daycare!
So how did our resident Diva of Destruction feel about her brother’s newfound fame and fortune?
This is a bunch of crap. I'm the photogenic one around here!
Hazel(Nut) has never received a proper introduction on this blog, so I figured now was a great time to go about it. I discussed her story briefly about a year ago (read here and here) but she never got the introduction she deserves. To recap, I found Hazel on the side of the road the day after I returned from BlogPaws 2010. Talk about fate. I was charged up about meeting the need for change, and talking to numerous bloggers about rescue and pets in general really fired me up. Then I came across this dog, who I am sure was placed in my path for a reason. The past year has been a huge challenge; logistically, financially, emotionally. Although I’d toyed with the idea of getting a companion for Grady, it just never seemed the right time. Quite honestly, I’ve had my hands full just keeping up with him!
The above two photos show Hazel not long after I took her in. The vet wouldn't even spay her until she put on some weight.
Sleepy Hazel after her first long car ride with me
Fast forward one year. Anyone that knows me could have predicted that this dog was going to remain in my life, despite my noncommittal claims. Many, many thanks to Jenn (formerly from University of Doglando) who fostered her for many months until I got settled enough to take her in myself. Hazel has come a long way. I’ve had rescue dogs many times before, but never one this abused and fearful. She had health difficulties, primarily because of her extremely low weight. She had never been socialized to dogs, people, cars, leashes, etc. She had basically lived her life in a cage, with occasional forays out to hunt hogs or be bred (according to varying reports, neither of which I believe to be true). Once she got attached to me she developed extreme separation anxiety, which was exponentially harder to deal with due to her abject terror at being left alone in a crate. Too many memories, I guess. Despite her traumas and fears, I saw glimpses of a loving and brilliantly smart dog. Every day I see those traits more and more.
This is Hazel today: belly full of food, life filled with love, and mind filled with plans for her next act of destruction!
This dog is one of the smartest I’ve ever seen. She is a logical thinker and a prankster. She can get herself out of any enclosure. She is fast as the wind and never tires. Behind her often fearful persona lies a bold and adventurous spirit. She’s active and up for anything. She’s a hurricane of frustrating, funny, and loving quirkiness that swirled into our lives and turned it on end. Generally speaking, she’s pretty much the polar opposite of Grady. However, she has reignited his love for trouble and believe me, two is WAY more than one plus one! I hope that she entertains you all as much as she amuses me and I hope that you enjoy watching her transform from this wild dog into a respectable companion (I’m an optimist!) along with me.
Hazel graduated from the University of Doglando in January with her A.A. in Dogology, presumably a polite member of society. Uh huh.
As I’m sure you’ve noticed, Grady, Hazel, and I have taken an extended leave of absence. Between managing FromTheHorsesBack and trying to recruit readers and subscribers to The SlobberDog and the Pets Blogroll, I became a bit overwhelmed when life started to slap me around. Creativity zapped, I checked out. But we’re recharged and refreshed, and ready to tell you all about life with SlobberDog (and HazelNut too!) If you’ve hung in there during our absence, thanks for sticking around.
So, what have we been up to for the duration of our hiatus? Wow, what HAVEN’T we been up to?!?! To start with, we relocated back in August. Now Hazel (redubbed HazelNut for reasons which shall be described at some later point) resides with our little family full-time. It often feels like a hurricane has swooped in and upended us, but we all adore her and she’s doing a great job of keeping G-Dog young. Now we live in a huge house with a teeny-tiny backyard (but it’s still a backyard) that borders on an arboretum forest preserve. We go for daily walks through the woods and the dogs are enjoying “hunting” the squirrels, birds, and gopher tortoises that we often see. Hazel particularly enjoys stealth bombing out of the woods at some unexpected place to scare the crap out of Grady and I.
Grady has (*touch wood*) thus far managed to stay staph and yeast free since last August, so I’m hoping that whatever he was so allergic to is not present at our current location. Fingers crossed! Although he celebrated his 8th birthday last month, he’s still a wild man – just in smaller doses. Hazel graduated with her A.A. in Dogology from the University of Doglando in January. She is slowly becoming a well-adjusted member of society and Hurricane Hazel is now down to a Category 2.
Bella Cat is happy to be in a house filled with windows (although she frequently requests that I install a screened porch for her to hang outside in) and can often be found in the kitchen watching birds out the window. Milo somehow survived his near brush with death last summer (severe urinary blockage that resulted in a 2 week stay at the emergency hospital) and has resumed his role as my Number One Love Cat. He can often be found on my lap, in my bed, or on the kitchen counter being naughty!
We’re glad to be back and can’t wait to continue on with Tales from SlobberDog (and friends)!