Hello, everyone. What a long winter it has been. The snow seems never-ending, but I know that April is in sight and spring is just around the corner. I don’t know about everyone else, but over the winter I seem to get lazy and bored — can’t wait for the sun, green grass and hearing the birds singing, just to be able to get out and get some much needed exercise.
I stay pretty busy, working at my job at Dead River Company during the day and coming home to the fur babies and the husband after work. The fur babies are my four-legged children. They have the run of the house. Most times the toys are scattered all over the floor. Sometimes I come home to pillows off the couch on the floor. It would be fun to have a camera set up to watch what they do all day. I am sure they get bored, too, just like we humans do.
Out of the three dogs, I have only two that really play. Their favorites are their squeaky toys. They love to have me toss the toy or play tug-of-war. They always drop them at my feet as if to say, “Let’s play.” They will shake the toys from side to side, run and chase me around the house, but dogs being dogs, they love to bark. Sometimes a pair of ear plugs comes in really handy.
Barking — the two smaller dogs love to bark when they get excited. My husband and I are trying to curb that bad habit, but it is an ongoing challenge. We have tried several things to stop this. The current method that is working for now is to show the hand, at a downward angle, flat, with a firm “No.” It seems to work best with my husband, rather than myself. Perhaps the dogs think that with “Mom,” they know that they can get away with their antics. We’ll keep working on it.
Every once in a while I come across some quotes about animals that make me smile, make me laugh and sometimes make me cry. I thought I would tell you a few of my favorites.
“Until one has loved an animal, a part of one’s soul remains unawakened.”
“For an animal person, an animal-less home is no home at all.”
“An animal’s eyes have the power to speak a great language.”
“If you want someone who will listen to you every time, do everything you tell them to do and always be there for you, get a dog.”
If you are looking for a dog or a cat to add to your family, stop by the Central Aroostook Humane Society. We have some wonderful animals looking for homes.
Have you ever considered an older animal, even a senior animal? I adopted a senior poodle some years back. He was almost blind, and he did go blind within a few months of having him. I had him for just one year, but my heart was happy because I gave him a year of happiness. I rocked him, fed him chicken, and in return I got unconditional love.
Please consider adopting an older pet. They have so much love to give.
The Central Aroostook Humane Society is open Tuesday through Saturday 10:00 to 4:00 pm, closing for lunch 12 -12:30pm. We are at 24 Cross Street, Presque Isle, Maine.
Please be responsible: Spay and neuter your pets.
Gail Wieder is a member of the Board of Directors of the Central Aroostook Humane Society.
