Cookies & Cream

Cookie was named after an Oreo Cookie, but she looks more like Cookies and Cream Ice Cream.  

Somewhere in my many meme photo files I had one with this same sentiment, but  instead of milk and cookies, it said cookies and cream with a black and a paint horse.

Of course I can't find it now, when I want it.  But this is still cute and funny.  

Monday 3/23 - It was 65° outside when I walked the dogs at 5am, by 7:30 when I took the trash out, it had dropped into the 50s and started getting windy.  




I  met Jan at the Ranch before 8am, to help her with the start of morning chores.  Bonnie was there also, and we went through the procedure that we're starting today, keeping the Pasos in the upper paddock during the day (because they are getting way too fat).  This includes feeding them in the morning instead of at night.  




By the time I headed home, it had gotten very windy and even colder (49°).  That was all I needed to make a decision to not ride today.  I had a 3rd cup of hot tea and worked on my blog for a few more hours.  The three cats kept me company in my office/sun room.  





Joe had bathed Cookie while I was out of town and kept her in the 'Mancave'/dog room with him much of the time.  When he sent this photo, I sensed he was getting a bit attached, or visa versa. 
I posted a photo of Cookie on the Missing Pet Network of Cumberland County Facebook page.  We had to do this before we could legally find her a new home. 

I moved my computer to the dinning table and kept an eye on Cookie who can't be left unattended in the house.  She has a lot of ornery puppieness in her, and is teething, so likes to chew on things.  I gave her more toys and chew bones which has helped.  She also really likes Stevie's old cat bed which I added to her play area.

I hit the gym, then the shower, and was home at the dinner hour, and then watched two hours of Virgin River with Joe.

Tuesday 3/24 - The cats, especially Mama Styx have been a little more clingy since I've gotten home.  I guess they missed me.  

Joe and I went to the Ranch together, I had to do morning chores and he needed to take care of a few things.  Thankfully it wasn't as cold as yesterday.  





The bulk of the rest of my day was spent sitting in the dinning room, trying to blog.  I went down a few rabbit holes, researching different things pertaining to entertainers, competitors, and demonstrators at Road To The Horse.  I was also greatly distracted by the puppy.  It was warm enough to open the sliding door to the screened porch, increasing Cookies play area.

Cookie really likes Maggie... while Maggie enjoys some play, she tolerates a lot with Cookie wrestling with her, stealing toys, and following her around (video).

I took breaks to play with Cookie, walk her and a few times talked with various neighbors about her.  Susie, Brian's helper next door, loved her and thought she might know of a couple wanting to adopt.







I took a mid afternoon nap (in bed) and upon waking, had slept so heavily that I thought it was 2am when I looked at my clock.  I was thinking I needed to take my Levothyroxine which I usually do in the middle of the night.  My nightly pill container was empty.  Finally, I realized it was 2pm. Not sure why my body thinks it needs more sleep, just catching up from the four-day weekend?  




I gave Maggi breaks from Cookie and even took the puppy to the Dog Park.  We were in the 'non-social' section, since Cookie may be completing her heat cycle.  Well I met a lady (Nancy) across the fence at the 'big dog' section with her two year old dog (Sophie)  Cookie and Sophie took an interest in each other.  So Sophie came to join Cookie and they had a great time (video).  Cookie has met her match.  Nancy heard the story of Cookie's 'rescue' and that we are in search of a new home for her. 

Well, while watching the two dogs play, Nancy fell in love with Cookie and said she and her husband had been considering getting Sophie a dog friend.  She went on to say that she would be glad to adopt Cookie when they get back from Texas, the middle of June.   

After dinner, I saw on the missing pet network of Cumberland County Facebook page that my missing dog message with Cookie was no longer there, so I re-posted it.  In a very short time, my new message was responded to by a Lindsey Baker on my Facebook messenger: “Do you still have the dog? I know where his home is."  Right away I was wondering if we were talking about the same dog, because she referred to Cookie as ‘his.’

Sometimes I feel like my life is spinning out of control.  I needed to make sure that this owner was in fact the real owner.  So I asked her for some identifiers such as sex, size, age, and name of dog to determine the correct owner.  I wasn’t just going to give Cookie up to anybody who claimed to own her.  After some talk back-and-forth, she sent this picture of the post on the missing pet network.  I never saw this post, nor was it any longer available for me to see for some reason.  My next question was who is Travis Cox, who is his dad, and who is Dale?
At this point Joe stepped in to help me out.  The Dale is Dale Baker, Lindsey's father in law, the man with the cattle at Wildwood, and our x-hay guy who "bailed out on" us by not baling our hay.  He basically told Joe to just put the dog back out on Chestnut Hill Road and she would find her way home.  And as far as other dogs breeding with her, Dale said "Just let nature take its course."  This made me so mad and broke my heart.  I kept thinking, how can I return Cookie to a home that cares so little about her?  Of course, her actual owner may not be so heartless, but he wasn't actively looking for her either.  Needless to say, I could not get to sleep when I finally turned the light off around 11pm.  What was Cookie's future?  Would she get hit by a car?  Was or would she get pregnant?  And then what about the puppies?  Was there any way to break this cycle?  Maybe we'd have to break the law and just assume ownership of Cookie to do right by her.

Wednesday 3/25 - I was up much too early and short on sleep.  I was trying to keep my mind off of Cookie and get more blogging done.  

Look who came through the back yard.  The Fox got a drink from the creek, then trotted out across the golf course and probably home for the rest of the day.  

After several attempts to call the owner and his son, last night and this morning, Joe took Cookie and went by the house on Chestnut Hill, but nobody answered the door.  So Joe left a note and brought Cookie home.

The spay neuter clinic called and I had to cancel the appointment for tomorrow because we don't have ownership of Cookie.  Ughhh!  She empathized with me.  Cookie needs to be spayed sooner than later, in case she is pregnant.  

I went out on a ride with Jan, going 3½ miles.  While tacking up, I told her the struggles we're having with Cookie.  She  sympathized and then talked quite a bit about Mike and their journey with his terminal brain tumor diagnosis.  I can't even imagine!  










After our ride I helped Jan with chores.  I opened the gate to the side pasture from the upper paddock.  Zorro quickly went out and down to the pond.  Rico hesitated, blocking the way for Amiga.

I saw a message from Joe that Cookie had been surrendered to us and we could now move forward in finding her a good home.  I was elated!  Her owner said his grandchildren had forced her on him but that he was so busy at work he didn't really have time for her.  He was glad to let us find her a good home.  Joe also learned that 
Cookie is 11 months old, was named Corky, and has had no shots.

I tried calling the Pet Planned Parenthood clinic to try to get Cookie in tomorrow morning, as originally planned, but they were already closed for the day.

Once home, relieved about Cookie's future, and with a lighter spirit, I was more successful at blogging.  I never made it to the gym however.  Joe and I watched Survivor after dinner.
 

Thursday 3/26 - Monita asleep in a box she likes.  
This was supposed to be the day to have Cookie spayed.  Since it had been canceled before I knew the owner didn’t want her, I then called the clinic to reschedule an appointment and the earliest they can get me in, is a week from today.  

I continued plugging/slaving away at writing my Road To The Horse blog post.   It was taking way too much time.  I never made it to the gym, but took a much needed break, going to the ranch.  Joanne and I went on  a lovely ride together.  



Afterwards, she helped me with chores.  
The three Pasos were happy to be back out on the side pasture for the night.

Joe and I finished Virgin River and again the cliffhangers were suspenseful and now I can’t wait for the next season.

Friday 3/27 - I woke at 2:30 after five hours of sleep and could not get back to sleep.  I kept thinking about all that needed to get done and how badly I wanted to finish last week's blog (and I hadn't even started this blog for this week).  I was still a long ways away from completing the Road To The Horse blog, which I hoped would later be a good horse training reference for me later.  


Seen here, Monita keeping me company in my office and then I kept Cookie company, taking my computer to the dinning room.  

I got to the point by noon, and actually earlier, in the middle of the night, thinking 'blogging is too much of a ball and chain and I ought to just quit it all together.'





I finally made it to the gym for an hour of aerobic exercise and the pharmacy to pick up my only prescription (Levothyroxine).

I went to dinner and then the Playhouse with Patty, Shirley, Judy, and Karen (who was using Joe's ticket so he could go play poker).  We had a great meal, lots of chatting time, and enjoyed the play.  They always do such a nice job with all aspects of the productions.

Saturday 3/28 - I had morning chores at the ranch.  On the way home I took some photos at Wildwood.  










More of Dale Baker's cows are having calves.

I worked most of the day on the Road To The Horse Blog, but was still unable to finish it.  
As you can see, Cookie is happy to nap in her crate, and goes in to lay down on her own.  

 

Brakes from blogging were take as usual, for dog walks.

The cats are not so sure about this new house guest.  It’s not so much the fact that she’s a canine, as that she’s high energy, unpredictable, and likes a good game of chase.  

The cat's curiosity draws them close when they feel they can safely investigate.  But for the most part, they stay  well away.  Cookie has growled and and let out a bark or two when they come sniffing around her crate while she’s closed in it.

I sometimes wonder if cookie prefers her old life of running loose with a bunch of other dogs, rather than semi-confinement in a house, garage, or even worse the crate.  






She never complains about being in the crate and seems to be comfortable with long stretches of time laying in there.  I do think she enjoys the comforts and safety of our home, and probably does not realize the added benefits of healthcare (pest control, need vaccines, and even spaying).

In the afternoon, Joe dropped Maggie, Cookie and I off at the Druid time/shares and I walked the dogs up the path to the library building and down through the woods to Flossmoor (video). 

Cookie is getting better at walking on the leash, but still bothers Maggie sometimes, who I leave off leash where safe.  It helps prevent the tangling problem.  

Joanne had chores this evening and sent an update and photos of the Pasos before she left the ranch.

I continued blogging until bed time.  I have become a slave to my weekly blog, and recently again feel the need to free myself from it.  If I could just stay brief/keep it condensed. 

I have given up sweets for Lent.  It has not been a problem.  I don't really crave the cookies and candy I was eating daily, several times a day.  I have always been a 'cookie monster,' and like this meme, to assure nobody eats my cookies.