Samson"No" the Basset

Some of you know my 4 legged boyfriend(so he thinks) Samson "no" the basset hound. Some say he thinks he's my boyfriend by the way he loves to dine with me and share my coffee, he destroys my credit cards, sits between me & company while kissing & looking at me adoringly, and he thinks Im so beautiful I dont need makeup so he eats that! Like any boyfriend if you don't live with him you will most likely find him handsome, smart and adorable, people always offer to take him home, he listens so intently to them speak seeming to comprehend every word and respond accordingly. He is so alert & attentive, a little extra waddle for the public like a hypnotist he charms them. Im sure he does understand & probably could speak English but he wouldn't want to reveal this secret because he prefers to feign stupidity when it suits him.... like being told "no". At the use of his middle name, he will wag his tail in appreciation,droop his eyes in Innocence, "who me?". When I caught him on the table investigating what we were having for dinner, My father nearby clutching his chest in horror, trying to choke out the words I yell, "Samson NOOOOOOOO" but he merely looks at me and wags his tail as if to say"who me? pull up a chair, no worries, Ill share" ! I should have known way back during that grace period when he first came to live with me, there were signs. For although he is driven by his nose and he is perpetually hungry as all hounds are, he always takes the time to unwrap his food, take lids off, peel the foil or plastic off a sandwich, gently carry coffee cups to a safe location. I should have seen it coming when he could open doors, refrigerators, childproof cabinets, & draws, when he started pulling out chairs to get on counters & tables, opening the dishwasher to lick the plates, and when all else fails he will roll the computer chair to wherever he needs it, he consistently does this to get over a baby gate. Samson has an amazing ability to blame things on his brothers & sisters. He will casually leave them with the evidence when he is done and pretend to be sleeping in his bed. The other dogs don't stand a chance, I can only hope to outsmart him someday. Should they have something he wants he will pretend something interesting is going on in the kitchen or run madly to the back door im sure he is howling, "a steak is in the yard, arooo" tricking them outside and out of their prized possession. Or poor Clyde is an easy target his weakness being sox. Now he never chews them he just likes to have them, something like Dobby of Harry Potter, Clyde can not resist a sock. Samson will often use Clyde's weakness to get treats, toys or a spot on the couch by tempting Clyde away with a sock from the laundry room. Than there is Fanny, my English Bulldog we are convinced he is trying to kill. We've had a series of life threatening events that usually begin with Samson giving her something dangerous he stole, like a knife, a box cutter, an overdose of yeast from the pantry, and I'm sure he didn't steal a bag of broken glass from the garbage & leave it in her crate on accident, he obviously was smart enough not to eat any of these things but instead gave them to her.... it makes you wonder is this a plot to kill? We may someday hear Samson's side of all this because he has been trying to use the computer for about a year now, and I'm sure he is getting closer & closer to working the keyboards but its a little ruff with paws! You can meet Samson"no" the basset ,most days he is with me at Missdoolittles. When he's not busy charming the customers you may find him waiting on my grooming table where he has discovered dogs on the grooming table get my undivided attention! Be warned please leave your food & drinks in the car and you may call him by name Samson or his alias "NO" as he responds the same :)

Samson's favorite
HOUND ROUNDS
preheat oven 375
mix together 2 cups flour, 1/2 cup shredded cheddar, 1/2 cup cottage cheese, 1 tsp cilantro leaves, 1 tsp parsley
Add 2 tbls of vegetable oil, 1/2 cup chopped peanuts, 1/2 cup water

shape into goldf size balls, place on greased baking pan and cook for 30 min.

Basset Stole my Phone:Should I file charges against Huckleberry Hound?

Don't let this basset fool you I thought he was innocent too! This is no ordinary basset hound indeed looks can be deceiving. He uses those puppy dog eyes and that hush puppy swagger to distract you and take what he wants! This isn't the first time he stole from me so I am forced to contemplate should I file charges against huckleberry hound? A cookie here or there I could live with, even the toy or 2 he has played fetch with and discretely tucked under his bed to smuggle home. But after his second or 3rd visit he wanted more. I first realized Huckleberry hound may be a kleptomaniac after a stay at my house days later his father came into the salon, head down, red faced looking ashamed carrying several articles of my clothing. He explained how sorry he was, hoped I would forgive Huck for his weakness and admitted this wasn't the first time Mr. Hound has been caught with contraband after a playdate. Well of course I laughed and forgave my favorite 4 legged sleepover buddy how could I not? Huckleberry is the most endearing hound I have ever met and I have 3 basset hounds of my own so I know. Whenever he is introduced to anyone within seconds of intro they exclaim his resemblance to a cartoon character. He can be quite expressive. Starting usually with fast paced aroooo's(aroo aroo aroo aroo) accompanied by head shaking that makes his jowls quiver and slap together in a most comical way he alarms me letting me know someone has invaded his space but than he will transition into slow, long enthusiastic arrooo's aroooooooooo....arooooooooooo thowing his head back as he searches for a toy to play fetch with the newcomer. After a few minutes of this song and dance most people are laughing and Mr. Hound has stole the first thing on his agenda, their heart! I see how I let it happen, how he stole my heart and betrayed me. Several more visits and huckleberry upped the anti. We were having so much fun, I thought I knew him, I considered him family and than his Dad once again bashfully came to see me. In his hand he carried 2 remote controls. 1 to my air conditioner and the other the TV, found stowed between the blankets of Huck's bed when he returned home. Well once again I blame myself. I do tend to keep it hotter than most like it and maybe I wasn't paying attention to what Huckleberry wanted to watch that would explain why the TV always ends up on Animal Planet and I was layering my clothes all weekend, at least I'm not crazy. Now here we come to the final incident that has made me question my relationship and open my eyes to what a fool I have been. It happened Sunday, July 12th. I met with Huck's Dad to drop him off after a 1 week visit. It was bitter sweet we were both happy and sad to see his dad but I loaded his things into the truck and watched him go as I strolled thru the parking lot and into the Wallmart to do some shopping. I didn't find what I needed and stopped at another store on the way home to get some final ingredients to make more dog treats for the coming week. Finally more than an hour later I was home and discovered without my phone. My calender, all my contacts and business clients , my life is in my phone I was frantic. As anyone would do I searched the car, the house, and finally started back tracking my day. By 8pm that night a light went off and I called Mr. Hound to see if he might have my phone. But he was careful this time and my phone was not found hidden in his bed. By Tuesday afternoon I relented, reported my phone missing and filed a claim. Like lightening Wednesday by 12pm my new phone arrived. It was disappointing, it didn't have cute bulldogs all over or that greet on incoming and it certainly didn't bark and howl when it rang. It was dark and unfamiliar. I went about programming it anyway and just as I finished not 5 minutes later I heard the first unfamiliar ring, I looked ,having no contacts it was an unfamiliar # but when I answered, it was not an unfamiliar story. My old phone had turned up in Huckleberry's things. So hearing how I have been cunningly betrayed by my favorite basset hound tell me what would you do?

7-16-09-I have had a chance to sleep on it and realize Huckleberry would miss me like I miss him and probably had my phone to keep in touch! I cant press charges, I LOVE HIM!!!

Dog Meal Recipe of the day

Huck Howls 4 this dish:

Hearty Hound Loaf borrowed @ https://www.threedog.com/Default.aspx

Ingrediants:

1 1/2 lbs ground turkey

1 egg

1/2 tsp sage

1tbls minced garlic

1/4 C finely chopped green bell pepper

1/2 C corn(I substitute peas)

1 medium tomato chopped

6 ounces tomato paste

preheat 350

combine ingrediants, pack into greased loaf pan and nake for 1 and 1/2 hours. Cool, slice and serve

AAAAROOOOOOO!

Shelter Pets GO Home!

Finally the day came! Missdoolittles brought shelter pets from the

Ruth Steinert Memorial SPCA http://www.ruthsteinertmemorialspca.org to the Shenandoah Farmers Market http://462farmersmarket.com

with Great success! Meet Rocky & Fluffy! These 2 senior, Yorkies/Silkys or most probably the combination, Silkshire Terriers were owner surrenders! When I brought them home Tuesday evening they were sad, quiet, filthy and matted, they had spent several confused days at the shelter! Here's what they looked like:

I have never encountered 2 pups so thrilled to be bathed and groomed! They immediately came to life, tails started to wag, ears that were heavy with matting perked up, they started to have expressions when they looked at you and I can only guess they realized they no longer smelled offensive and decided they wanted to cuddle in which they did! 9 am Thursday morning we stepped out of the car at the market , Rocky in his new black Tshirt adorning a Rhinestone R and Fluffy Sporting a matching Tshirt with a Rhinestone star! Together on a coupler they moved excitedly, tails wagging thru the crowds of people flocking to pet and cuddle them! They stopped for every person and child, They instinctively new just when to offer a kiss, when to be patient with a child, when to look longingly into someones eyes and they broke hearts all day! Several people inquired on 1 or the other but they are so closely attached to each other we held out and before they day was over Rocky and Fluffy found their forever home together! Ahhh... the air of New found hope! I saw smiles, tears of joy, excitement, and rejoice in the various eyes of the 104 vendors at the market that were experiencing for the 1st time all the emotions of a rescuer. 1st the shock of the homelessness of 2 helpless pets, the realization good dogs end up in shelters, the frustration of it and than the renewed faith in humanity to see the donations, the support and witness these 2 Silkshire terriers wag their way out the door with their enthralled new family on to a new life in their forever home! Yes, It was a good day at the market!

Meet Coal, possibly Chihuahua mix who stepped in half way though the day when the Rocky and Fluffy went home:

This little guy really new how to work the crowd! Unlike the common belief Chihuahua's are shy and sometimes nervous you could not get past Coal without getting a kiss and you could hardly keep him away from the children! Coal almost went to a new home today but he turned out to be terribly frightened of the cat. He still awaits a home at the Ruth Steinert SPCA. Coal's visit was not in vain though! He won the heart of Charlie, the Penny's classified advertiser and with that he won future weekly advertising slots for the coming Pets visiting when Charlie and market owners discussed their mutual wish to help the shelter pets!

All in all Missdoolittles couldn't be more pleased with the first event!

A Cat for my Pack? No way!

Maybe? I am working with the local shelter Ruth Steinert SPCA http://www.ruthsteinertmemorialspca.org/to bring a pet every week to the Market to spend the day with me and get some much needed attention! My first visit to the shelter in I'm ashamed to admit, a long time, I was just supposed to be finalizing some paperwork to start the event and I came home with a kitty. In my defense who could have resisted, here's what happened: The wonderful shelter worker, Sherry who works tirelessly and is so compassionate and very good with the animals as well as the people asked me to please look at this beautiful long haired white cat they got in. The poor thing is matted to the bone under her angora like coat! UGG! I say, I dunno Cats can be very difficult and dangerous to groom, their skin tears like tissue, seeing her desperation I say, but.... let me handle her and see what she's like. She is putty in my hands, lets me roll her around, play with her paws, purring all along perfectly content to be belly up in my arms until I try to put her back than she gently wraps her paws around me like a baby I am holding her now and she looks up at me first wide eyed than she squints her yellow eyes and licks my chin!!! I feel my heart skip a beat and know I'm in trouble! Sherry sees it too, I look at her and her eyes well up... I say I will help but I'm not very experienced with cat grooming I usually only assist so Ill be back after I look into it some more and talk to my co workers. I obsess about it all night and by morning have convinced myself I can comb out the matts, Ha! I go back the next day and I bring kitty home. She has no name yet as they thought she was a boy and hadn't thought of something suiting for a girl yet. I have already purchased her a pretty new collar and necklace to match her eyes that are nearly clear lime yellow like glass beads. So far she has let me cut her nails and purred at the clipper so I am hopeful! The verdict is still out with my pack though! I promised myself after my last foster failure Baily, adopted my Mom and made himself a home there would be no more pets! But a Kitty well they are practically self sufficient ,aren't they? Pictured above is a "kitty" look alike Sapphire from AboutCats.com as I have no pictures yet. Turkish Angora? Any thought on names? here are 3 I like:
Darla-little darling,
Kami- are spirits which sometimes interact with people . They are known to possess great elemental power. Kami also possess common traits such as emotions and are able to think freely for themselves. People who are able to sufficiently please kami are usually blessed with their loyalty.
Hemera-Goddess of daylight and the sun.

Dog Treat Recipe
Bow wow Biscuits
1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1/2 cup wheat germ
1/2 cup powdered milk
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
8 tablespoons bacon grease -- or margarine 1 egg --
beaten 1 teaspoon brown sugar
2 tablespoons beef broth -- or chicken
1/2 cup ice water
6 slices Bacon -- crumbled,
optional 1/2 cup cheddar cheese, shredded --
In a big mixing bowl, mix all the ingredients thoroughly to form a dough. Roll the dough out with a rolling pin and use a cookie cutter to make shapes for cookies, Bake cookies at 350 degrees for 20 - 25 min.

Cat Treats
1 1/2 rolled oats
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup tuna oil or beef/chicken bullion
preheat 350,mix all ingredient into a dough, dist hands with flour and form small 1/2" round treats, put on greased cookie sheet and bake 30 minutes or until slightly browned.