My new blog

I started a new blog.  My intention is to keep logs of hikes, runs, etc. that I do as a volunteer.  I thought it would be a good way to remember some cool dogs and the beautiful hikes I go on.  Check it out if you are interested, http://flexwithrex.blogspot.com/

Great Saturday Morning

This morning I walked some wonderful dogs. I usually have a few I like each week, but everyone was great today! I thought I would tell you about them:

I didn't walk Sasha today, but she is a fantastic dog....intelligent and athletic.

Simon, smart little boy (especially for a chihuahua) with some nice manners.

Sara was so well behaved on our walk. She knows all her basic commands and walks better than 90% of the other dogs I have walked.

Roxie was a smart dog!!!!! I was playing tug and practicing "drop it" she quickly learned the command and then tried tugging 2 times and then dropping it in hopes of earning more treats. She also would leave my treat bag alone, but as soon as I clicked she was nosing it.

This dog reminded me of Haley a lot...just look at that sweet expression. She could lose a few pounds, but so could a lot of us :) Such a sweetheart and nice walker also.

This cocker was also a nice walker and quiet.

Alice was also fantastic (although this is the best photo of her). Rottie mix, so black but has brindle in the tan areas. She was just recovering from her spay, so on restricted activity. I was sitting on a blanket with her and she was trying so hard to get me to play with the stuffed bone she had found. Hilarious dog, but sweet to boot!

After volunteering I went for a run on the Cedar River Trail. On the run 3 deer crossed my path, the last one was about 15 feet away. I hadn't seen any deer in Washington yet, so it was pretty exciting to see them and up so close. I also saw, what I believe to be a Swainson's Hawk. Not only did I see some animals, but the flowers are blooming even more than they have been, wild flowers are starting to come out everywhere!

Great day so far and heading to the casinos tonight! Plus some fun plans for tomorrow, I will try to post the details and pictures later.

My Run Last Saturday

Last Saturday I went for a run after volunteering at the Seattle Humane Society. On the way I enjoyed some beautiful fall colors (they would have been even more spectacular in the sun, I am sure).

Off the Factoria exit from I405.

By the Renton Community Center and the Cedar River Trail.

It had been raining very hard all night and morning, but had dwindled down by the time I arrived at the "trail." Unfortunately as soon as I had turned around to head back it started pouring. I was able to ring my clothes out before getting into the car and was soaked through all of them. BUT I am proud of myself for going on the run in the first place (even with the threat of rain) and I am sure that this will help me out in the upcoming months (although hopefully it will be more of a drizzle that everyone keeps telling me about).

Just Call Me Snow White

After I had been working at the LHS for about a year a coworker called me Snow White. She said I reminded her of Snow White because I have dark hair and she thought I had a talent with getting animals to trust me. I took that as a very nice compliment, but I really felt like Snow White this Sunday.

On Halloween when I was on my way back to my house (I had forgotten my wings) and a dog ran in and then out of the street. I pulled over and tried to catch it...although I quickly realized that I wasn't in a safe spot. I pulled into the driveway and attempted to coax the dog to me. He was having none of that and ran into the street and proceeded towards College, in the middle of the road! A nice woman, with two dachshunds

in her car, pulled over and let me know that Animal Control was on the next street up, towards College. Right after she drove off I saw the dog run onto that street. I tried to call Animal Control, but was on hold for too long...I was already running late! I figured that the dog was heading their way and they would catch it.

The next afternoon my landlord waved me down as I was heading to the CSU vs. BYU game. He had seen my trying to catch the dog the day before and asked if I knew the dog. It turns out the dog was once again running down the middle of the street earlier that afternoon. We talked about it how odd it was that the dog had a what appeared to be a leash on and that it had some scarring or staining on its face, and then I headed off to the game.

Sunday morning I was letting Haley out to use the bathroom and my landlord's dog started frantically barking. I looked in his direction and the stray dog was just east of the garage. I hadn't seen the dog since Halloween, so I just assumed he had been caught.

I quickly brought Haley into the house and gathered the smelliest food I could find....string cheese! I headed out to the back of the yard and then dog was just outside of the fence. Long story short, I tossed cheese to him and then later Natural Balance until he actually stuck his head in my slip lead (he was still on the other side of the fence and I was having trouble grabbing the slip lead that was already around his neck).

Turns out that he was a sweet dog who was just very scared. He was about 2 years old and neutered. The dog didn't have scarring on its face, it actually had entropion. I called Animal Control to tell them that I had caught him and went closer my place to wait.

When Animal Control came they mentioned that neighbors had reported the dog being attacked by coyotes and they had been patrolling and setting traps for the whole time. It made me feel like I had done my good deed for the day! No matter the outcome at the humane society at least the dog will not been hit by a car, killed by coyotes or starve/freeze out in the elements.

Top Cat and Tails

Saturday night was Top Cat and Tails. Attendance seemed to be down a bit, but hopefully the economy didn't effect the money donated....the animals could really use it (looking at the LHS' website there are lots of cats there right now). Also, from what I heard all the animals in attendance were surrendered, although I am not entirely sure if this was due to funds in their original families.

There were a lot of local celebrities in attendance. Mike Nelson, Chris Kelly and Ryan Kramer all helped out during the Live Auction. Big Rob also attended the event, it seemed like he was enjoying the food donated by Drunken Monkey for the volunteers more than the catered food for attendees.

My date was a 6 month old neutered male cocker spaniel. He actually was adopted by Kirk Montgomery, Kirk fell in love with him when he was taken down to Channel 9 to advertise the event. I also handled a spayed female dilute calico (this image is not my date) who was just over a year old during the Live Auction. Due to the fact that my original date was mostly spoken for, I also walked around with a 5 month old yorkshire terrier/dachshund mix, or dorkie (this dorkie look more like Anna).

Big B's date was a 2 month old puppy. He was supposedly a aussie mix, although I think he looked and acted more like a husky/pit.

We also were "models" at the Live Auction. I will post pictures or a link as soon as I have some.

Graduation, Housewarming, Engagement Party and more

This weekend was a pretty busy weekend. Started out with my brother-in-law's graduation party, he is now Master P. Some delicious food...Master P's salsa was probably my favorite. I played some bean bag games with the folks, my mom and I's game was pretty short.

Then onto a  housewarming/engagement party in Wheatridge. They have a nice duplex and some more delicious food, plus sunshine on tap.

After a while there it was time to head back to Fort Collins. Big B went to soccer and I met the parents, my sister and Master P at Bisetti's for some more good food....do you notice a theme here?

Sunday I woke up early to volunteer at the Doggie Olympics. This is a great event to watch people interact with their dogs. Dogs compete in different events, for example a duck retrival or timed race. It is always good to see the Community Outreach coordinator, who is also my friend, and I met a nice volunteer I hadn't met before. Although I was a bit disappointed in the attendees this year and the best trick...they have to be something Haley doesn't know or I couldn't teach her in a day to impress me.

After the dog adventure Big B and I went and watched the end of the Broncos game at CB Potts. I can't believe they lost to one of the worst teams in the league! Later I watched Big B's soccer game.