Old Dog, Young Year...Wolf Moon

Having had both big and small dogs share his life over the years, my brother once told me that little dogs often live longer but...they were old for a lot longer, too. This is certainly playing out with our experience with our dear little Shih Tzu, Minna, who turned fourteen, this past December. She has lost her sight and  has become increasingly frail, suffering what her vet calls "cognitive decline." In other words, doggy dementia. Hers mostly takes the form of getting turned around in odd places, getting "stuck" in corners or behind doors, and barking for no apparent reason. Our younger dog, Sophie, just looks at her then, with a puzzled look on her face, as though trying to understand what she's

talking about. 

But just as with some old humans, who have a sudden decline in physical and mental abilities, it's important to keep in mind that in the big picture of a lifespan, these last years of fragility are just a tiny part of the life they give to the world. And so, I was inspired to write a poem after our wee-hours-of-the-morning experience, today. (Please forgive the awkward formatting. I've yet to master the new version of Blogger!)

Old Dog, Young Year, Wolf Moon

by Kathryn Louise Wood

~Since her decline in body and mind,

blind in eye though not in soul,

we watch and listen for signs of distress,

and come to her aid when she's stuck behind doors.

And ask, without hope of answering word,

what it is that she needs when she croaks out a bark,

as, sometimes, her blind eyes stare out into space

and she shouts to the empty air that surrounds her.

Now, our sleep comes in fits and in frustrating starts

as she "woofs" in our bed, just under her breath,

and our muscles clench tight at the 3am hour,

we know that soft woof will reach desperate pitch.

Then it's jump-up-and-carry her into the night,

out the back door in the wintery cold.

But, sometimes, the chore is a gift, unexpected,

as early this morning, when urgency barked.

I gathered her up, throwing coat over gown,

and carried her out for her needed relief,

into the frost (prayed inspiration would strike her,)

and hoped she'd remember our purpose outside.

I noticed the snow-laden ground was quite glowing

and, turning my gaze away from her snuffling,

my tired eyes were filled with the shimmer of moonlight,

from a moon, crystal clear, in the frozen expanse.

And, then, I remembered its sky-spirit name,

the one for the first full moon of the year.

Then, looking back down at our tiny canine,

knew her heart was as large as the Wolf Moon was full.

I sensed the wild blood that coursed through her veins

as the clear lunar light set her form all a' glimmer,

bathing her body with bright primal beauty,

her fierce, ageless spirit belying her years.

Though shivering cold, warmth flooded my heart

for the privilege of caring for such a dear soul

who the universe granted our love to entwine, 

and the years of sheer joy she's brought to our world.~

Thanks for stopping by. Y'all come back, now!

Kate (and Minna)

-All photos by either Kate or husband, Bill Ahearn-

 

The Joys of Secret Santa...and Secret Santa Paws too

"Sophie Investigates the Secret Santa Paws Package"- Photo by K L Wood

Last Christmas, 2019, seems a whole lot longer than just one year ago. I think we need a new time measurement for 2020. You know, like one dog year equals seven human years—although that old adage has come into dispute, lately. I propose one 2020 year equals ten "normal" years. (And that, I believe, will remain indisputable.) 

Anyway, one year ago, our growing family decided it would be easier to handle, both time-wise and finance-wise, if the adults exchanged names for Christmas gift-giving for the following year. (The children would continue to receive gifts from everyone.) We picked names from an elf hat and kept them secret until Christmas 2020 gift-opening time. This led to a year of surreptitious glances and thinly

"Sophie Keeping an Eye on the Secret Santa Paws Gifts"- Photo by K L Wood

disguised inquires of clothing sizes, ears pricked to any mention of needed items, and grateful perusing of Amazon Wish Lists. It really has been great fun and a wonderful way to share (even if by video chat!) 

2020 was also our introduction to the doggy version of Secret Santa through our dogs' participation in the FaceBook group I wrote about in September, Nibblers-Patterdale Wanderers FC. Secret Santa Paws delivered gifts all over the world! 

"Some Nibbler Mates"—photos submitted by the Nibblers

"Some More Nibbler Mates"- Photos submitted by the Nibblers

The organizer kindly and wisely matched those on their respective continents to save on postage and delivery time. (Delivery time being an especially great challenge this past year!) Our dogs, five-year-old Sophie, and fourteen-year-old Minna, were the happy recipients of gingerbread squeaky toys and yummy doggy cookies! Thank you, Secret Santa Paws! (I've included more photos submitted by the Nibblers. Such a darling group of dogs and their human “beans.)

"Minna with her Secret Santa Paws Gift"—photo by K L Wood

From our home to yours, we wish you the simple joy of keeping sweet secrets and the pleasure of selfless giving (and the not-so-selfless receiving, too!)

Thanks for stopping by. Y'all come back, now. 

(And Warmest Wishes for a Merry Christmas season and a Very Hopeful New Year!)

Kate

Doggone Inspiration...and surprising source of comfort

"Patterdale Wanderers" illustration by Mo Palios

As an American writer amid these strange days of the Covid 19 virus pandemic, social unrest, vitriol-spewing politics, dangerous hurricanes and wildfires, and even a freakish damaging earthquake in my state of North Carolina, I find myself struggling to focus on my writing, wondering what plague will next strike us. All too often, my mind veers away from my work and onto the next crazy or horrifying thing in the news.

"Sophie" photo by K. L. Wood

But I have discovered a new and unexpected source of both creative inspiration and warm-hearted comfort. I (actually, my dog, Sophie) was invited to join a private Facebook group called the Nibblers—Patterdale Wanderers FC. In case you don’t know, FC stands for Football Club. (That’s football, as in soccer.) No, Sophie is not a soccer player or a Patterdale terrier, but she’s a friend of a Patt named Wanda, here in Edenton, and Wanda extended the invitation to join this positively (or “pawsitively” in Nibbler-speak, but more on that, later) wonderful group. Four year-old Sophie, in turn, invited her old litle sister, thirteen-year-old Shih Tzu, Minna, to join the Nibblers. This creative pack of canines is centered in the United Kingdom, but Nibblers stretching from Kansas to Canada to the Netherlands have also been welcomed into the fold.

"Magic Wanda" photo by K. L. Wood

What gets my writer’s juices flowing is that the members all communicate in their “dog voices,” viewing and speaking from the dog’s POV (Point Of View, or perhaps POD- Point Of Dog is more accurate.) There is a whole host of dog dialect-enhanced words. For example: going on a vacation is usually referred to in the UK as going on holiday, but in Nibbler-speak, it’s going on “holibobs.” Archie, the Nibbler who started it all, has become the official group attorney, usually called a solicitor in the UK, except in Nibbler land he is the “solly sitter.” One term that has gotten a lot of use recently is the “carrot walrus.” In other words, the corona virus, which has invaded the Nibblers’ lives on both sides of the Pond. And we human beings are referred to as “beans.” As in, I’m Sophie’s Mom bean, and there are Brother and Sister beans and Grandma beans and Uncle beans, etc. There are many more examples, but you get the picture!

This group shares photographs and stories of their everyday adventures of taking “walkies” and sneaking treats, such as that ever-popular UK Nibbler favorite, custard creams. (A vanilla cookie sandwich with a cream center.) I’ve learned a lot of new terminology, both gastronomically and colloquially-speaking, which sets my writer’s brain a’ ticking. There is also the creative challenge of writing in your own dog’s voice. My Sophie, for example, consistently speaks with her own brand of eccentric phrasing. She often adds an “s” where none is needed. (“Where nones is neededs.”)

 

"Minna" photo by K. L. Wood, all other Nibbler photos on this Blog, provided by their Beans

The members also share exuberant joys and heart-wrenching sorrows. In addition to celebrating birthdays and “Gotcha” Days (the days on which rescued Nibblers with unknown birth dates joined their forever homes,) there have been baby beans born and new Nibbler siblings adopted. But there have also been sick or injured Nibblers, as well as their beans, and we have offered get-well wishes and practical advice when requested. And, as might be expected, there have been both beans and Nibblers who have passed away into what they call, Everafter Land. When that has happened, one can feel the warmth and love of hundreds of kindred spirits wrapping the bereaved in comfort.

 

"Sophie's First Birthday" photo by K. L. Wood

The Nibblers participate in complex virtual events such as sports competitions, birthday celebrations, beach parties, travel adventures, and even a recent Nibbler wedding for Mr. Scruffs and Miss Lilly. (Several romances have blossomed online in this cyberworld!) In future posts, I will share some of these entertaining stories (especially the wonderful tales spun by Kiki’s Grandpaw bean,) as well as more photographs and drawings of these endearing canine characters. (Today’s post has but a few of their portraits. Just the tip of the proverbial iceberg of Nibblers who have offered their images for the blog!)

It all began with one of the beans, a talented writer and artist named Mo Palios, when she began a page in the name of her adorable rescued terrier, Archie. As she told and illustrated Archie’s fantastic tales, he gained a following that blossomed into a life of its own and eventually became the basis for the broader Facebook page: Nibblers-Patterdale Wanderers FC.

In Mo’s words: “I think the Patterdale Wanderers Football Team was the first big bonding event and that’s when i invented the Nibbler nickname. They were appallingly bad players but devoted themselves to coming up with tricks and strategies to beat their opponents! Like wearing dachshund face masks to confuse the other team. And the Nibblettes dressing as bunny rabbits to distract the whippet team.”

I’ll end this segment of the fantastical world of the Nibblers with a quote from their Facebook page:

~Join the Nibblers for fun, fantasy football and lots of amazing adventures in Pattland.

Players and supporters of Patterdale Wanderers FC - nicknamed the Nibblers are all welcome!

Old, young, slow, fast - every Nibbler can play in our matches and go on our adventures as they only happen in our secret Pattland. Nibblers don’t always have to be Patts ... just friends of Patts. We have Nibblers all over the UK and in the States as well. We have a magic patterbus that transports us anywhere in minutes so we can all meet up wherever we want, whenever we want. (Without our mum and dad beans). We share jokes and tricks and games and our beans share stories about us being funny or cute or naughty ... mostly naughty. We’re great mates and our team motto is All For One - One for All. We’re pretty rubbish at football but our team, Patterdale Wanderers, has lots of tricks (sorry - tactics) up our sleeves. We’re proud and thrilled to say we somehow managed to win the Canine Football Association Cup against the Favourites, Dachshund Bangers. 🎶🎶🎶We are the champions my friends 🎶🎶🎶 ~

"Nibbler Flag" illustration by Mo Palios

Be sure, also, to check out Archie’s original Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/archie.paliostyte.3 where you can find some wonderful “Nibbler” oriented gifts; a portion of the sales are donated to the Dogs Trust, the largest dog welfare charity in the United Kingdom.  

Thanks for stopping by. Y’all come back, now! — And, as we navigate these dangerous days, let’s all try to live by the Nibblers’ motto: 

“All For One - One For All!”

Kate

Room For One More...on National Dog Day

When you are loved unconditionally and you, in turn, give your heart completely, and

"Sweet Betsy" photo by KL Wood

then the source and recipient of that deep affection dies, what do you do? You mourn. You grieve. You shake your fist at the heavens. Even though you knew this would happen. Even though you knew, from the very beginning of your relationship, the loved one had a limited time on earth with you and would pass away long before you. You knew, one day, long before you were ready (you are never ready,) this dear one would be wrenched from your side although the sweet spirit would forever dwell in your heart.

In 2014, such a loved one died in my arms and never a day goes by that I’m not reminded of her. She was my companion, confidant, and fellow explorer of life’s ever changing seas. She couldn’t care less how I looked, whether rolling out of bed or dressed to the nines. She patiently listened as I ranted about politics or injustice or the cost of shoes. She always greeted me with genuine delight, no matter how long or short our separation. She was a young spirit within an old soul. She was my Betsy. She was my dog.

Betsy was black and white, curly-haired, half cocker spaniel, half poodle, all clown. Although the official term for her particular canine mixture is “Cockapoo,” I always referred to her as a “Cockerspoodle.” Somehow that moniker seemed more suited to her personality. Betsy walked by my side through many of my life changes: becoming a grandma, enduring a divorce, exploring new vocations, camping across America with a summer in Alaska, finding new love and marriage, then home-sweet-home in Edenton. In those twelve years, Betsy nestled deep within my heart and became part of me, forever. But then, she developed cancer and within four months, she was…gone. Even, now, tears well as I write these words.

The loss rent a tear in my heart, a piece torn away that would always be hers. I was devastated. How could I ever consider doing this to myself, again? Bring another love into my life that would leave me all too soon? But, two years later, as we watched our other dog, nine-year-old Minna, the sweet ShihTzu, become more and more of a fluffy couch potato, we decided it was time to look for a young companion to keep her company and get her moving again. I told myself it was for Minna, but I knew, it was really for me. You see, Betsy had expanded my heart and made room for more of the unique love that only pets can fulfill.

We knew there were so many wonderful dogs languishing in animal shelters who

"Betsy, Minna, Sophie- National Dog Day, 2018" by KL Wood

needed a home like ours in which they could enjoy being alive and part of a family. So, my husband, Bill, and I began an Internet search, looking for the qualities we thought would best fit into our home life. And, then one day, we saw the photo of a dear face, whose amber eyes looked out to us through cyberspace, imploring us to adopt her. And we did. Seven-month-old Sophie (who we thought was a terrier mix but who we realize, now, is a Portuguese Podengo Poqueno) came bounding into our home, instantly bonding with all of us and bringing playful joy and her own love into all our lives.

We have Betsy, and all the beloved pets before her, to thank for this new companion. Sophie hasn’t replaced them in our hearts. She’s just moved into the addition they created.

Thanks for stopping by! Y'all come back now.

Kate

The Nose Knows...canine superpower

One of the central characters of my work-in-progress cozy mystery novel, is a beagle

"Beagle Face" By Mariano Szklanny  [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

named Betty. I chose Betty's breed, not only for its well-deserved reputation as a sweet and loyal companion, but because it is one of the stars of the canine olfactory league. Since my main character is an aromatherapist who deals in scents on a daily basis, it seemed appropriate she should have a pet that appreciates her particular line of work. In researching various super-sniffer breeds I learned just how amazing is the canine sense of smell. Compared to humans, it really does fall into the superpowers realm.

Not only do dogs have superior numbers of olfactory sensors in their noses (300 million to our 6 million,) the part of their brains dedicated to detecting smells is about 40 times greater than ours. When an analogy is made with vision, if eyes could see as well as noses could smell, what we could see clearly at 1/3 of a mile, a dog could see at 3000 miles or further. If the analogy is one of taste, where we could detect a teaspoon of sugar in a cup of coffee, a dog could detect a teaspoon of sugar in a million gallons of water. Yes. They are that

"Sophie and Toadstool" by KL Wood

powerful. For myself, I'm grateful my sense of smell is not so acute, especially when passing by an active landfill on a hot summer day. It's a good thing dogs appear to enjoy all kinds of smells! 

Dogs can determine which of their nostrils a particular scent entered, knowing to search left or to search right for the source. And although we inhale and exhale air and scent through the same passageway, dogs have a fold inside their noses that separate the two and upon exhalation, sends the scent out through slits on the side of the nose in a swirl of air that helps pull in more scent. In this way, dogs can achieve a continuous flow of scent making them the outstanding trackers they are. For more fascinating facts about this canine superpower, I invite you to check out this article from the PBS program, NOVA:  http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/nature/dogs-sense-of-smell.html

Here is a list pulled from dogtime.com of the crème de la crème, the top ten sniffing superstars of dogdom:

"Blood Hound" By Petruss (Own work) Wikimedia Commons

10- Pointer
 9- German Shorthaired Pointer
 8- Coonhound
 7- English Springer Spaniel
 6- Belgian Malinois
 5- Labrador Retriever
 4- German Shepherd
 3- Beagle (go Betty!)
 2- Bassett Hound
And, drumroll please, the number one sniffer is...
 1-Blood Hound

So, there you have it. As we humans sit smugly assuming we are in all ways superior to all God's creatures, let us not forget that most everything on earth has its own superpower and many such powers are more helpful and less destructive than a big brain.

Have a good couple weeks, dear Reader. Thanks for stopping by...y'all come back now! 
Kate

Going to the Dogs...essential oils for canine comfort

"Sophie Selfie" photograph by KL Wood

Exciting news around our house! We have recently adopted a rescued seven month old female, wirehaired terrier mix. Nine pounds of love, joy, and some emotional baggage. She was brought to the Humane Society by an Animal Cruelty Officer from a home in which another dog had died of starvation while bound to a short rope. Heartbreaking. We have named her Sophie and are amazed at her intelligence and rapid adjustment to our family. She does, of course, have some fears that we are working through together so I thought I'd check on essential oil use for canine anxiety. 

It is important to remember that dogs react, physically and emotionally, differently to some oils than do we. So what's good for the goose isn't necessarily good for the gander...or what's good for Kate isn't necessarily good for Sophie! And the information here is only for dogs. Not for cats. Felines respond differently than canines and can have fatal reactions to things that are just fine for dogs. Instead of listing oils that are not safe for dogs, I am going to give you some recipes that are helpful for them. (If you're like me, you might remember the good and the bad but not recall which was which!)

With all of these recipes: Never spray near eyes, nose, or mouth and if your dog doesn't like it, don't use it! The good thing about all of these mixtures is that they all smell lovely and have similar

"Sophie with her New Grandma" photograph by KL Wood

therapeutic properties for us humans.

For General Anxiety:
Mix these essential oils-
5-10 drops of Lavender and
5-10 drops of Roman Chamomile into
10 ounces of purified water
Pour into a spray bottle and lightly mist over your dog's coat.

For Hyper Sound Sensitivity:
Add any of these essential oils to your home diffuser-
Lavender 
Melissa 
Neroli

For Separation Anxiety:
Add these essential oils to your home diffuser-

"Happy Tail Wagging" photograph by KL Wood

8-10 drops of Sweet Orange and
4-5 drops of Lavender and
4-6 drops of Ylang Ylang

For YOU! For Odiferous Dogs:
Mix these essential oils-
10 drops of Lavender and
 6 drops of Sweet Orange and
 6 drops of Peppermint and
 3 drops of Eucalyptus into
 8 ounces of purified water
Pour into spray bottle and lightly mist over your dog's coat.

When buying essential oils, always buy the highest quality. You really do get what you pay for and you don't want to use oils that may be diluted with products unsafe for use with your dear pups. (Speaking of pups, wait until your puppy is older than 10 weeks to use the oils.)

"All things bright and beautiful,
All creatures great and small..." are deserving of our love and care.

Have a good couple weeks, dear Reader. Thanks for stopping by...y'all come back now! 

Kate (and Sophie Rose)

       

The Power of the Dog...a timely poem by Rudyard Kipling

Betsy

My dear readers, I beg your patience and your indulgence this week as I depart from my usual sharing of 18th century research and take time to mourn the loss of our beloved dog, Betsy, who passed away in my arms April 13, 2014, just a month shy of her twelfth birthday. I am including a poem written by Rudyard Kipling who spoke to our nature of giving dogs our deepest love knowing, full well, their time on earth is far too short. Yes, Betsy's passing has torn my heart in two but for such a loving companion, I gladly give it to her, for it is the least I can do for such a pure soul.  

The Power of the Dog by Rudyard Kipling

There is sorrow enough in the natural way
From men and women to fill our day;
And when we are certain of sorrow in store,
Why do we always arrange for more?
Brothers and Sisters, I bid you beware
Of giving your heart to a dog to tear.

Buy a pup and your money will buy
Love unflinching that cannot lie --
Perfect passion and worship fed
By a kick in the ribs or a pat on the head.
Nevertheless it is hardly fair
To risk your heart for a dog to tear.

When the fourteen years which Nature permits
Are closing in asthma, or tumour, or fits,
And the vet's unspoken prescription runs
To lethal chambers or loaded guns,
Then you will find -- it's your own affair --
But . . . you've given your heart to a dog to tear.

When the body that lived at your single will,
With its whimper of welcome, is stilled (how still!)
When the spirit that answered your every mood
Is gone -- wherever it goes -- for good,
You will discover how much you care,
And will give your heart to a dog to tear.

We've sorrow enough in the natural way,
When it comes to burying Christian clay.
Our loves are not given, but only lent,
At compound interest of cent per cent.
Though it is not always the case, I believe,
That the longer we've kept'em, the more do we grieve;

For, when debts are payable, right or wrong,
A short-time loan is as bad as a long --
So why in -- Heaven (before we are there)
Should we give our hearts to a dog to tear?

The Author and Betsy

Have a good week, dear Reader. Thanks for stopping by...

Kate

18th Century Selfies...revealing self-portraits

Clearly, this yawning self-portrait of Joseph Ducreux,

1783, shows the artist did not take himself too seriously.

In this age of cell phone selfies popping up all over the Web capturing self-portraits of celebrities, wannabe celebrities, teenagers, adults, toddlers (who've grabbed their parents phones to imitate them with often hilarious parodies of said parents,) and even shamed political figures one would think would know better, I pondered the selfies of former days. Of course, those selfies were created by accomplished artists. What do those self-portraits say about their subjects, the artists themselves? I'm sure many of them were honest portrayals but, even before the days of photo-shopped enhancements, there must have been the temptation to paint one's self in the most flattering light. So, this week I've searched the Internet and harvested a few of those 18th century selfies for your edification and enjoyment:

Judging by these self-portraits of Decreux, this one from 1793, the artist

had quite a sense of humor. But there's something about his expression, here, that

makes me think I wouldn't want to get on his wrong side and become the butt of his jokes.

I can imagine the title for this self-portrait as Gotcha! 

Now, here is an artist who took himself VERY seriously but you

probably would have too if you'd been Jacques-Louis David painting
 this while imprisoned during the French Revolution in 1784.

Blame my art history ignorance but, until I began hunting down 18th century artists for my research, I was unaware of the number of accomplished female artists of the era. Here, in all their finery, are just a couple I ran across:

Yes, female artists of the time were expected to paint dressed up in their
 fashionable ensembles as seen here in Adelaide Labille-Guiard's self-portrait 
with pupils in 1784. 
(I can't even eat a bowl of spaghetti without splattering it all over my clothes!)

This beauty, Marie-Gabrielle Capet, appears to like what she sees 

in her 1783 self-portrait, but who could blame her?

I ran across a number of self-portraits, male and female, featuring artists 
shading their eyes as here with Sir Joshua Reynolds in 1745.

Perhaps those artists plagued with sun in their eyes should have followed 
the example of Jean-Baptiste-Siméon Chardin as seen in his 1775 self-portrait
 wearing a clever visor and, take note ladies, protecting his hair with a turban!

Gotta love a man who puts his dog before him!
 This is the self-portrait of Englishman, William Hogarth with his pug, Trump, in 1745.

The Author's 18th Century Selfie 

(with a little help from Louise Élisabeth Vigée Le Brun)

Have a good week, dear Reader. Thanks for stopping by...Y'all come back now! 

Kate

18th Century Man, Woman, and Child's Best Friend...going to the dogs

The Children of the Second Duke of Northumberland, 1787, Gilbert Stuart

In 21st century America, our pets are often considered family members, be they dogs, cats, goldfish, ferrets, rabbits, pot-bellied pigs, horses, llamas, hamsters, what have you. Examining portraits from the 18th century, we see this is really nothing new at all. Many portraits included dogs, cats, and birds, as well as more exotic pets and, by virtue of them being painted with their people, we can easily surmise the importance they played in the family structure. Today I would like to salute the 18th century pet dog and show you several paintings that include man's (as in mankind's) best friend. As you can see, dogs were included in paintings depicting all

Louis XIV and His Family, 1710, by Unknown, formerly attributed to Nicolas de Largillierre

socioeconomic strata from the humblest peasant to the highest monarch. My novel-in-progress has a dog as an integral part of the story so I was interested in seeing the kinds of dogs who populate 18th century paintings.

Enjoy!

George Venebles Vernon, 1767, Thomas Gainsborough

Cottage Girl with Dog and Pitcher, 1785, by Thomas Gainsborough

Woodes Rogers and his family, 1729, by William Hogarth

The Children of King Charles I of England, 1637, Anthony van Dyck (17th century but just had to include it!)

Louis Philippe Joseph, Duc d'Orleans and Duc de Chartres
18th century, by Louis Tocque

Elisabeth Isabella Mniszech , 1797, by Marie Élisabeth Louise Vigée

 Interior with a Mother Attending her Children, 1728, by Willem van Mieris

e

Portrait of a Lady with a Dog and a Monkey, 1710, by Nicolas de Largillierre

Teresa Vandoni, Italian singer, 1797, Carl Frederick von Breda

Philip of Parma, 1765, by  Laurent Pécheux

I even found our Betsy in the portrait above! 

Kate and Betsy at Yellowstone National Park, 2011, by William F. Ahearn

Have a good week, dear Reader. Thanks for stopping by...Y'all come back now!