Update on my crew, as well as my job

[IceyBlueSibes]

Well, I figured I have not given an update lately, so I thought you all might enjoy one.

The crew is doing very well. Kelso has gotten so much bigger now. He'll be a year old next month. Hard to imagine. I was looking at photos of him the other day when he was just a little stinker, and he's gotten huge. Not as big as I *thought* he would be, considering his mix, but definetly a big change. He's actually the perfect size. He has an obsession with squirrels. He'll sit and eat a tree, while trying to climb up it trying to get the squirrel LOL He also whines like he's dieing. Weirdo... He's acquired the nickname "Stinky". Since he's a garbage picker, he'll come in with niiiiice, stinky breath. Mmmmm... He can be a little standoff-ish at times, where he just seems to not want to be with anyone, but I think that can be typical with any dog. He's just not a "velcro dog". He has become a great watchdog. He only barks when necessary. So we know something is up if he does bark. The other night, a guy was by our fence, claiming to be looking for his keys (he's the neighbor behind us). Kelso charged the fence barking, something I thought he would never do. He's always had an "insecure" type of temperment, but it just surprised the heck out of me. The guy tried to reach over and pat him (he has two dogs himself), but Kelso leaped back. I told Kelso "It's alright, that's enough", and he came to me, turned to the guy and gave a deep, throaty growl like "Alright, you're cool... just don't push it". My little Stinky is growing up Outside the fence/house, he loves anyone he meets. Still very shakey around dogs, and I think that's just his temperment. He's very unsure of them. If the other dogs are with him, or if I show that it's okay he's not as nervous. But he doesn't want any part of another dog if we're out walking.

Ike has been a lot better about not leaving the yard. We actually found out just exactly where he was getting out. We have since fixed it by placing a board up. It turns out that Cuca, the little chi mix living with us, was getting out that way too and happily exploring the neighborhood. She would see my mom's van, or Steven's truck and she would just run right up to the car Talk about asking for doggy pancakes! Eeesh... But we can now leave him outside without worrying about him escaping... that's until he finds another way to get out. LOL

We had a lhasa apso mix that we were "fostering" for a close friend of ours. He has been forced to live in his car, and he didn't want his buddy to live that way. Jack has been here before, but it was pretty shaky with him and Denali. Jack is a big dog, in a small dogs body. He's very tenacious when backed in a corner, and Denali is the type who takes no lip. They were fine the first couple of months, but then they began fighting. It was getting to the point where Denali was injuring Jack (she almost punctured him right in his ear canal). But, the thing that was bothering me the most was that my mom was "favoring" Jack when it came to them fighting. It was always "Denali's fault" because she "attacked him for no reason". Mind you, Jack would sit and growl the minute Denali walked into the room, or even got into his view. There's no doubt in my mind that on a few occassions, Jack was the one who grumbled (us not being able to hear it though) and "baited" the fight. My mom just refused to see it. Just the other night, I had finally had it. My mom was spanking Denali for the fight (after we had educated ourselves to not discipline any of them if we could not see who the aggressor was), and when she tried to push her off of the couch to go into my Dad's room, she turned around and tried to bite her. I yelled at my mom to stop yelling and smacking her, and maybe she wouldn't do that. I point black said to my mom "Jack needs to leave. This isn't working" My mom was mad, but in all fairness to Denali she had become miserable. She wasn't her normal self... she couldn't play without Jack carrying on in the background, and she had become much more "bratty". It's not fair to her, and it's not her fault that we brought a dog in to HER home, and one that she just wasn't clicking with. So, Jack is going to stay with his "half owner" (she lived with him for years since she adopted him, but had to relocate for personal reasons). He's much better off as an only dog. He's older, and was a "dumster diver" (street dog) when he was picked up by the shelter. He only has one eye, so I'm sure his temperment (overly defensive) is because of that. But that is one thing I was completely upset about. Denali was supposed to be my mom's dog, but she always blamed the fights on her and resorted to punishing her by smacking her? After all I had educated my mom about? Then again... she had been drinking quite a bit that day (her way of dealing with stress, and it's something we have not been able to get my mom to stop) and I know that's what the problem was. But I felt good that I stood up for Denali. Sure, I used to believe in spanking, but after what I've learned, and watching my mom do it while Denali sat there with this look of terror on her face, I couldn't keep my mouth shut. But don't get me wrong, my mom is a huge animal lover. This was just a huge shock, and my Dad backed me up 100% in what happened. She is very much an "old fashioned" dog owner and even though I tell her about new things I learn and what I want to do... she sometimes will refuse to believe or trust it herself.

Anyways, besides that. My baby kitties are doing very well. They are SO big now! They will be 5 months old tomorrow. Hard to believe... Biggy has become such a love. He's all cuddles. Tiki is a "I'll cuddle when I feel ready" type of cat. He's a little more skittish than Biggy, but he's so crazy when he starts playing with toys. LOL He's a trip to watch. TAGS IS GETTING SPAYED THURSDAY!! Yaaaayyy! It was supposed to be last week, but we never recieved a "confirmation email", even though they said they sent one, and we would have been out of $40. My brother had a gut feeling that we needed to call. It was a good thing we did. I just hope her bad attitude changes. She's a completely different cat. She hisses when you try to walk near her, and only wants to be outside. She almost seems "feral". So I hope this attitude of hers is all due to hormones.

I plan on taking updated pictures today. I'm the worst when it comes to keeping updated pics. But my modem is not working on my computer, so I'm on my brothers right now. Until i can get it fixed, I'm stuck with no internet. Once my internet is up and running, I'll be sure to post the pictures.

My job is so awesome. I love what I do. The managers, and even the owners, are so pleased with me. He's even told me "You're the perfect employee". Because I don't come in, dilly-dally, and talk on my cellphone. I do what I'm told, and I do my best when I'm asked to do something. In a sense, I feel bad because I've pretty much taken the other two girls hours (I work 5-6 days a week). I have "heard" though, from the manager, that the one girl won't be around for much longer. Even one of the employee's, who has worked there for a long time, asked if I had worked somewhere else involving dogs and kennel work. I told him, "Nope, just experience with my own dogs and research that I've done". He was shocked. So, I'm very pleased with where I'm working. I love it.. and I don't plan on leaving (as long as they keep me LOL). OH, and the owners dad is the dog trainer next door... he offered to take me under his wing, since I want to do dog training, and give me free lessons. I thought that was very cool, but the only thing is, is he uses nearly a prong collar for every dog. I almost think he makes it required -- BUT, I know what I'd prefer to train with, and it wouldn't hurt to learn from him. He's been training ever since the owner was a young child (he's trained exotic animals too).

Well, I think that's about all of it. I never realized how busy life can get once you get older. So many things going on! Hopefully my internet will be fixed soon. It stinks with no GP!

Sorry so long winded!

[12weimgirl]

Wow thats long... and how long did it take to type it...? LOL and glad to hear everyones doing all right

Lauren

[Beryl]

Nice post, Icey. I'm so glad everything is going so well with you on the job and you are being fulfilled.

My comment probably should be in the "Debate" forum...

You are a Gen-Y (under 15-30). Baby-Boomers (45-60 years old) have a LOT in common with Gen-Y folks from a work ethic standpoint. Both come in and do their our jobs expecting nothing but a paycheck and a good feeling that they did their jobs well. Sometimes the job sucks but these people roll with it because they have a lot of pride in what they do.

Gen-X folks, though fewer in number, are different. They are folks who were working during the dot.com era and either became millionaires or know people who did. As you know, dot.com didn't take a lot of WORK -- just having the right idea at the right time. They watched their parents get disillusioned and laid off. As a result they are not loyal to their company because they don't feel their company will be loyal to them. They look for ways to get rich with minimum effort.

When I read your posts about your job, you are clearly a Gen-Y gal. You go, girl!

[britishbandit]

Wow, you have been busy Icey!

Glad to hear all the furkids are doing well, and that the job is going so great! We all knew that would work out for ya though!

And WHOA, where does the time go?!?! Kelso almost a year and the kitties almost 5 months.......OMG! LOL

I wish Tags the best on her upcoming spay, and hope she's a bit less grouchy after.

Can't wait for those pics, although I won't hold my breath! HAHA You may do awesome in other aspects of your life, but posting updated pics for us ain't one of em! Come on girl, prove me wrong!

[calgal]

That certainly was an informative post. Don't know how you even find time to do that.
Glad things are kind of working out for you and glad you enjoy your job. It makes it that much easier to go to work.

[wehkah]

Originally Posted by Beryl

My comment probably should be in the "Debate" forum...

You are a Gen-Y (under 15-30). Baby-Boomers (45-60 years old) have a LOT in common with Gen-Y folks from a work ethic standpoint. Both come in and do their our jobs expecting nothing but a paycheck and a good feeling that they did their jobs well. Sometimes the job sucks but these people roll with it because they have a lot of pride in what they do.

Ha ha ha!! I must be a Gen-XY then! I'm practically 29 but I was always considered Gen-X. When I love my job I take pride in it. I'm very loyal to the company I work for as long as I don't get screwed by them. Such is the current case with my FT job right now. Not too happy with them. However my PT job at the kennel.... Now that's the job for me! Would work it FT if it could pay the bills cause I really do enjoy that job! Someday soon I'll have my own business.

[Doglover1988]

It's great to have an update of how you've been. I can't wait to see pictures. I also can't believe that Kelso is almost a year old.

[roman]

well you have missed alot haven't you lol

wow poor denali having to deal with a dog that she didn't want to

i see the job is doing good

[Rivsky]

Glad to hear things are going so well for you - apart from a few hiccups along the way!

[IceyBlueSibes]

Thanks everyone It really has been mostly school and my job keeping me tied up. Since it's my last semester, this REALLY counts especially for attendance. If we stay within the days we are allowed to miss, we are exempt from the finals. So I'm trying my best to get to school, even when I've been sick.

My camera is actually charged and ready to take pictures. My brother hooked up his internet to my computer -- using the router we originally bought for the cable internet, so I'm BACK! LOL

I PROMISE PROMISE PROMISE I will have pictures up tonight. No doubt about it! I have not posted pictures in quite a few months, and I'm sure you all will be shocked to particularly see Kelso

One sad part, is that Rosemary (the grey kitten I took in with her littermate) has been missing for nearly 3 weeks. We have no idea what happened to her. She would go outside for most of the day, and come inside at night. She'd ALWAYS come to my room, because she loved "nursing" on my blanket (that I've had since I was born). After about 3 days, I noticed she had not been in the house. We have not seen her, and have put signs up... but no luck. The lady I babysit for didn't realize it was my cat, and ended up calling me the other night. She said there has been a cat coming in their yard lately, and it's different than the others they've been seeing. She said she looks grey in color. She tried calling her, but her dog noticed it and started barking and it chased her off. There are privacy fences all around us... we're pretty much the only ones with chainlink. My guess is that she ended up being chased off (by another cat or dog.. or person) and doesn't know how to get back home. Her and her brother aren't the sharpest tools in the shed. HAHA But I miss her terribly, and I just REALLY hope that it IS Rosie who's been coming into their yard. I also know it's not that hard for a cat to adjust to another home, especially if they end up getting fed there.

Tags did well in her spay. She's still a grouchy old witch LOL But I think it has a lot to do with being uncomfortable. She doesn't seem to feel well (not terrible - she's just feeling ucky - who wouldn't!), so I think that has a lot to do with it. I'm hoping that once her hormone levels are back in balance, that she'll change her mood atleast a little. To describe it, her temperment is literally very similar to a feral cat. You're lucky if you get to touch her, and even at that she's growling or hissing at you. I don't know what happened to my little baby kitty who couldn't get enough of my attention But, her babies have thankfully gotten a very good temp. They are so so sweet and so loving. They are great buddies to snuggle with when you're upset or not feeling well.

BAH - This is long too! LOL I guess I just miss being on here as much as I used to. Not only that, my mom and I's relationship is not AS close as it used to be. We are still very close, but we've lost that extremely strong one over time. I think alot of it is because I'm getting older and developing a lot of my own morals (ones learned from her too, which she doesn't practice very well anymore) and I'm not afraid to speak up about things now. I was always very quiet and never voiced my disagreement until the last couple of years. So, I really don't have anyone to talk "dog" with much anymore. Because a lot of my views and ideas are very different from my moms at times, and she tends to look at me "weird" when I tell her I'd like to feed Kelso a RAW diet.

12weimgirl - This post took me about 5 minutes to type. LOL The other one I'm not so sure because I had to pause in between to do some things. But Once I get going... I don't stop. LOL It's a bad habit of mine. I just love conversating I guess.

Well I'm off to take pictures. HOLD ME TO IT BB!! !LOL

I think I can! I think I can!

[Pondwader]

Good to hear from you!

Such long posts I hardly know what to reply to LOL

"Stinker" sounds like he's earning that nickname LOL

Glad things are going well.... sorry to hear about the kitten missing