Blog Archives
For the love of dogs for fifty years
Posted by doggonedmysteries
I have been training dogs for over fifty years. Does that surprise you? It did me when I did the math. Goodness, I feel old now.
The first dog I trained was when I was eight years old. I not only had her heeling on a leash but had her and another neighbor’s dog doing tricks. We were very nearly a circus act.
I taught obedience classes for a while. Over the years, I trained a passel of Poodles in all sizes, a German Shepherd, a Rottweiler, and several Bull Terriers.
You all have a good one!
Posted in Dog related
Tags: Author, Bull Terriers, Doggoned, Dogs, Life, Love, Multiple Sclerosis, Rescue Dogs, Writer
A fictional scene I might use…
Posted by doggonedmysteries
I remember that they all thought it was fun to gang up on me. I shoved my fists deep into my pockets because my parents forbade us to fight. I tried to walk away. Those three older girls weren’t going to give up. One of them shoved me so hard that I fell on my face. Road rash on my cheek burned.
That did it. I got to my feet and proceeded to whale on all three of them, it didn’t matter to me that they were much taller and outweighed me. I saw red. When I finished, all out of breath and drained of anger, the girls had bloody noses and black eyes. They were running away.
My parents got a phone call that evening. Those girls’ parents wanted me to apologize. My father took to me the home of one of the girls. All the way over I shook with anger at the indignity of having to apologize to them. When my father saw how much bigger she was than I, he told the parents he figured the three older, bigger girls owed me one hell of an apology. They could call on me the next day. We walked home hand in hand.
You all have a good one!
Posted in Short Stories
Tags: Author, Books on writing, Craft of writing, Doggoned, Fiction, Multiple Sclerosis, Novel writing, Writer, Writing
Another dog post
Posted by doggonedmysteries
It is with great trepidation that I watch Miss Patty sleep on the couch tonight. Why? Well, she’s been wetting her bed of late. Thank goodness the new crate pads I bought are very absorbent. We think that, like a small child, she’s sleeping so deeply she has accidents.
I’m only keeping her out of her crate so long so that I can take her outside later and then we’ll see if her crate stays dry tonight.
Gavin is snoring in his crate so he hasn’t noticed that she’s not in hers. If he did he’d be screaming.
What a silly home we have.
You all have a good one.
Posted in Dog related
Tags: Author, Bull Terriers, Caregiver, Doggoned, Dogs, Family, Multiple Sclerosis, Rescue Dogs, Writer
What a fun day!
Posted by doggonedmysteries
Gavin and Patty enjoying some of the swag I brought home.
I had a great time at the Silverwood. Wish we could’ve done all four days of it, but am happy to have had one lovely day. I ran into some people I knew from way back when I was showing Malcolm. (Iffinest Hero’s Welcome) I enjoyed seeing my mentor–Malcolm’s other Mommy–Maggie, it was fantastic to see you!
I got a hug from David Merriam, he was always a fabulous judge and wonderful to show under. He treated those of us who were humble owner/handlers with respect and kindness. He hasn’t changed a bit.
To all you others–you know who you are–I’ll go blind trying to list you all. Thank you for adding to a good day.
You all have a good one!
Posted in Dog related
Tags: Author, Bull Terriers, Caregiver, Disability, dog shows, Doggoned, Love, Multiple Sclerosis, Writer
If you are at Silverwood, say hi!
Posted by doggonedmysteries
I should’ve made tonight picture night, then I wouldn’t be sitting here frantically typing whatever comes into my head, so I can go to bed early, so I can get up early to go to the Silverwood Dog Show. There are times that I do enjoy a good run-on sentence.
I am looking forward to meeting some FB friends at the show. I do hope you all remember to stop me and tell me who you are. 😀 Just keep your eyes open for:
and
You all have a good one!
Posted in Dog related
Tags: Author, Bull Terriers, Caregiver, Disability, Dog humor, Doggoned, Love, Multiple Sclerosis, Writer
It’s been a long time
Posted by doggonedmysteries
I am looking forward to going to a dog show on Friday. It’s a specialty show for Bull Terriers. The biggest one in the country. This one moves every year and when it’s this close to home, I can’t resist going.
A dear friend of mine is driving us down. I’m glad she is because she knows how to get there better than I do. I’m looking forward to seeing some old dog show friends and meeting some new ones.
Silverwood here we come!
You all have a good one!
Posted in Dog related
Tags: Author, Bull Terriers, Caregiver, Disability, Doggoned, Dogs, Love, Multiple Sclerosis, Writer
Brrrr, it’s chilly.
Posted by doggonedmysteries
Wow, finally had to turn the heat on. It got danged cold and damp in here. Turned out to be a perfect night to make chicken fried steak, red-eye gravy, mashed potatoes, and beans for dinner. The Curmudgeon was a very happy camper.
The dogs are loving the cool weather. Gavin is a total idiot these days, he’s hucklebutting all the time. Patty , well she’s her normal reserved and quiet self. I really love it when she gets silly, forgets herself, and hucklebutts. That’s when you see her fun side that she tries to hide.
The cooler weather also helps The Curmudgeon feel somewhat better. I’m hoping it means we’ll have more good days now for a while.
As for me, well I’m not very fond of cold weather and that’s what will soon follow this so I’m not thrilled.
You all have a good one and stay warm enough.
Posted in Weather related
Tags: Author, Bull Terriers, Caregiver, Disability, Doggoned, Family, Food, Multiple Sclerosis, Writer
When the bad days outnumber the good … get the most out of the good days
Posted by doggonedmysteries
As The Curmudgeon is beginning to have more bad days than good, we work hard to make his good days more fun. I have less free time since on his bad days I have to be on my toes and ready for anything.
It saddens both of us that we can no longer do the things we used to enjoy doing together. I miss going fishing. It’s not the same without him along. He doesn’t walk well so walking along an uneven river bank is no longer possible.
We no longer go to dog shows, something we always enjoyed.
This time of year he used to enjoy helping to create a wild look and sound for our porch for trick or treat night. Now it’s just G and I working on it.
I hate to see the pain in his eyes as another thing he loves to do is crossed off his can do list.
If wishes were horses than beggars would ride. If my wishes were anything, it’d be a cure for MS.
You all have a good one.
Posted in MS related
Tags: Author, Caregiver, Disability, Doggoned, Family, Life, Love, Multiple Sclerosis, Writer
Hoodie weather has arrived
Posted by doggonedmysteries
The weather turned chilly last night. With temperatures dropping down to 41 degrees I finally got a chance to wear my new hoodie when I took the dogs out for their last out of the night.
I can now tell how worn out my old one was. The new one is so much warmer! Plus I do love this picture on mine…
The Curmudgeon will be pleased in the morning when he takes the pups out while wearing his new hoodie. He’s usually cold even when I think it’s warm.
You all have a good one!
Posted in Weather related
Tags: Author, Bull Terriers, Caregiver, Disability, Doggoned, Home, Multiple Sclerosis, weather, Writer
Muse, please return to me.
Posted by doggonedmysteries
So when my muse decides to come out of hiding, I think I’ll be ready for her. I have a Muse trap set up and a Muse cage to keep her in unless she agrees to stay on her own. All I need now is some Muse bait. What does one use for Muse bait?
Should I put up lost signs? Advertise in the lost and found ads? Offer a reward?
I believe my muse is in hiding. Makes me wonder what I did. If you see my Muse please send her back.
You all have a good one!
Posted in Writing
Tags: Author, books, Craft of writing, Disability, Doggoned, Love, Multiple Sclerosis, Mysteries, Writer
If things are put away properly I can find them…
Posted by doggonedmysteries
I finally got my automatic wrist blood pressure monitor reset. Couldn’t reset the darned thing for the life of me and couldn’t find the instructions anywhere. Yesterday, I came across the box it came in, stashed on a shelf in the cellar way, below the upstairs stair treads, and found the instructions inside the box. They were not in the drawer where I keep all my small appliance, large appliance, and other directions.
At last, I can remove the blood pressure readings from over a year ago to now and can start fresh! It was never fun to see the scary readings from the day I had the heart attack. Now those are gone. Yay!
There’s also that problem of what reading belongs to which person…hmmm. Yes, the time had come to clear the memory. Heck, the time had come and gone numerous times.
Now when the Doctor asks me if I’ve been keeping track I can tell him “yes, and this is what the last three readings were,” am I not amazing? <Giggle>
You all have a good one!
Posted in healthy living
Tags: Author, Caregiver, Disability, Doggoned, healthy living, Life, Love, Multiple Sclerosis, Writer
Another fall recipe
Posted by doggonedmysteries
It’s that time of year when gardeners will soon have to harvest what is left of the tomatoes on their vines. Yes, do harvest those green ones and give this a try.
Green Tomato Chutney
- 2 1/2 pounds firm green tomatoes, about 6 cups diced
- 1 cup golden raisins
- 1 cup chopped onion
- 1 1/2 cups light brown sugar, firmly packed
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/4 cups cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon mixed pickling spices
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 tablespoon chopped crystallized ginger
Preparation:
Trim the stem and blossom ends from tomatoes and cut into 3/4-inch dice (you should have about 6 cups). Combine all ingredients in a heavy kettle; bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and cook for about 1 hour, until thickened.
Spoon chutney into hot sterilized jars, leaving 1/4-inch head space; wipe jar rims. Cover at once with metal lids, and screw on bands. Process for 15 minutes in a boiling-water canner, or 20 minutes for altitudes of 1001 to 6,000 feet. Over 6,000 feet, process for 25 minutes.
Makes about 3 pints of green tomato chutney.






